Saturday 26 / April / 2025
Muscat: A group of Labour members of parliament (MP) in the UK have quit the party in protest over Jeremy Corbyn's handling of Brexit and anti-Semitism.
The MPs were Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes, Gavin Shuker and Ann Coffey. They have united to form the new 'Independent Group' in parliament.
Berger made the announcement saying "this has been a very difficult, painful, but necessary decision."
"It has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. But I am convinced it is the right one," she said.
Gapes, who has represented Ilford South since 1992, in his resignation letter, stated that "recent political positions taken by the leadership of the Labour Party have been increasingly difficult to justify or support. This is not the Labour Party I joined or have supported for so many years.
"It is increasingly clear that prominent figures in the Corbyn Labour leadership do not want to stop Brexit," Gapes added.
Citing his stance on a number of international issues, "Jeremy Corbyn", Gapes also said, would "be a threat to our national security and international alliances."
Leslie, echoing Gape's complaints, said"British politics is now well and truly broken and in all conscience I cannot look you in the face and honestly urge you to support a Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour."
Corbyn responded in a series of tweets, saying, "I am disappointed that these MPs have felt unable to continue to work together for the Labour policies that inspired millions at the last election and saw us increase our vote by the largest share since 1945."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wrote on Facebook, "This is a desperately sad day. These seven MPs are all friends of mine. I served alongside them in Parliament.
"I agree that the only way through the mess of Brexit is to give the public the final say, and that the Labour Party needs to do much more to root out the evil of anti-Semitism," Khan added.
"However, history clearly shows that the only way to get real change in our society - whether fighting for a public vote, tackling inequality, or ending austerity - is within the Labour Party. When the Labour Party splits it only leads to one outcome - a Tory government - and that means a hard Tory Brexit."
Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer also said, "I'm deeply saddened to see colleagues leave the Labour Party. We must remain united in the fight for our party's values of internationalism and equality for all. That is the only way to bring an end to this Tory government and deliver the change our country so desperately needs."
Politicians outside Labour, however, welcomed the MPs decision.
MP for Oxford West & Abingdon Layla Moran tweeted her support for the group, saying, "To those former Labour MPs who resigned today. You are brave. This must have been an incredibly difficult step. Look forward to (continuing) to work with you in Parliament. Especially towards delivering a People’s Vote and a more fair and equal Britain."
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable welcomed the possibility of cooperating with the group.
"It is not unexpected, or unwelcome, that a group of Labour MPs have decided to break away from Corbyn’s Labour; in part motivated by his refusal to follow the party’s policy on Brexit," said Cable.
"The Liberal Democrats are open to working with like-minded groups and individuals in order to give the people the final say on Brexit, with the option to remain in the EU. We will be engaging in talks to progress both that campaign and a wider political agenda."
