Change UK-The Independent Group




 *  This article is about the group of UK MPs that left Labour in 2019. For similarly-named groups, see: Independent Group (disambiguation). 

Overview
The Independent Group is a British political grouping of Members of Parliament who resigned from the  Labour Party in February 2019, citing their dissatisfaction with the Labour leadership's approach to Brexit and its dealing with allegations of antisemitism in the party.

Background
Jeremy Corbyn's December 19, 2018 "Stupid woman" comment, Labour's support for Brexit, bullying, sexium, the leadership support for Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro alleged mass anti-semitism and the party's alleged (Conservative Party-esque) sycophancy to Russia's president Vladimir Putin, group-think, machine politics, machine-driven politics, mechanical answers\robotic answers to journalist's questions, nationalisation of the waterboards, nationalisation of the railways, alleged racism, reported support for jihadis and Labour's apparent support for neo-communism.

The Tories and Labour used to be a broad church\big tent movement, but are now narrow set\small tent movements full of EU-hating fanatics, hard-line xenophobia and anti-semites.

The pro-Israel MPs Joan Ryan and Gavin Shuker both lost no-confidence votes at packed constituency meetings on September 7th, 2018.

Formation
The group was founded by Luciana Berger, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith and Chuka Umunna who simultaneously announced their resignations from the Labour Party on 18 February 2019. Four were Labour and Co-operative Party MPs — these exited both parties. Announcing the resignations, Berger accused Labour of having become "institutionally anti-Semitic", while Leslie said Labour had been "hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left" and Gapes said he was ''"furious that the Labour leadership is complicit in facilitating Brexit". ''

They have urged people in other parties to join them. Umunna also said that there was "no merger" with the Liberal Democrats planned: the group wants to build ''"a new alternative". ''

After the group's launch, founding member Angela Smith appeared on the BBC's Politics Live programme, where she said "The recent history of the party I've just left suggests it's not just about being black or a funny tin..." in relation to a comment on the BAME community and a discussion about racism in British society. The final word was partially uttered, but was widely reported to be "tinge". Smith apologised shortly afterwards for having misspoken.

Reactions
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responded: "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." Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said that they had a "responsibility" to resign and fight by-elections as they had been elected as Labour MPs and should seek the approval of the electorate on their new platform. Others stressed reflection, with deputy leader Tom Watson imploring his party to change in order to stave off further defections.Labour MP Ian Austin warned Corbyn that there could be more defections from Labour. Scottish Labour Party leader Richard Leonard said that those in the new group were letting the Conservatives "off the hook". Former Scottish leader Kezia Dugdale urged Labour Party leaders to show "tolerance and understanding".

Len McCluskey, general secretary of the Unite union, said the seven breakaway MPs should call by-elections: "If they regard themselves as democrats, I wonder if they are going to stand down and create by-elections" and "give their constituents the opportunity to see if they want them elected." UNISON leader Dave Prentis said that the split was "terrible news", stating that "split parties don't win elections". His comments were endorsed by GMB leader Tim Roache. He later said “all their vitriol was reserved for their own party and for the policies that secured them all personal-best votes in their constituencies 18 months ago.”

False, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories arose online that the Group are funded by Israel. Ruth George, a Labour MP, was asked to comment on Facebook activity by a Labour councillor that appeared to support this claim. She stated it was "possible" that the Israeli government was supporting the Group. After criticism, she withdrew her comments and apologised.

Ahead of the breakaway, Vince Cable, the leader of the Liberal Democrats (UK), said that his party would "work with them in some form" but that his party would not be "subsumed" by them. Following the breakaway, Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie said: "This is a damning condemnation of what Labour has become and a compelling positive case for change."

Brexit Party MEP and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage said that the split was the start of realignment in British politics.

The group has been compared by commentators to the Social Democratic Party (UK). Theresa May offered her regrets for the defections by the renegade Tories and party officials said they had a point about the bad tone of political debate in the UK.

Ken Clark, the long standing Tory MP for Rushcliffe, warned that the party could lose it's moderates to the Independent Group and Young Labour hurled a shitstorm of online hatred at the rebebels that night.

Labour's Emily Thornberry told a party rally on February 23rd: “We are Labour to the core and Labour to the tips of our fingerprints – and we would rather die than join any other party and we would never think of joining the other eight people who have decided to abandon Labour and cuddle up to the Tories.”

Mr. Umunna said it was “time we dumped this country’s old-fashioned politics” and created a new alternative.

Mrs. Berger, who has been subject to anti-semitic abuse, said it had been a “difficult, painful but necessary decision” for them all. She also criticised Labour for becoming “sickeningly institutionally racist”.

Anna Turley, the MP for Redcar, argued that “instead of demanding loyalty with gimmicky pledges perhaps the leadership should ask itself why decent hardworking moderate MPs feel there is no place for them in our party”, adding that the “leadership must listen on Brexit and antisemitism”.

Ian Austin said on February 25th that Jeremy Corbyn "unfit to be Prime Minister".

Expansion
Joan Ryan became the first MP to join after the group’s formation, announcing her departure from the Labour Party on 19 February.

The Daily Telegraph stated that Anna Soubry and four other Conservative MPs were considering defecting to the group. The BBC reported that 2 or 3 Conservative Party (UK) MPs were thinking of joining the group.

Joan Ryan became the first MP to join after the group’s formation, announcing her departure from the Labour Party on 19 February.

On 20 February 2019 3 Conservative MPs joined the group: Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, and Anna Soubry.

Structure and aims
The group is not a registered political party, but rather a group of independent MPs without a leader. The group is supported in its aims by Gemini A Ltd, a private company started by Shuker. It has been suggested that this will mean the group's private finances will be less transparent, not subject to the same restrictions on donations under UK law as registered political parties are. Berger said that the 7 have funded the launch themselves.

The group, whose key message is: "Politics is broken. Let’s change it", has stated that it aims to pursue evidence-led policies, rather than those led by ideology, with the group being tolerant of differing opinions. Specific values include social market economy, freedom of press, environmentalism, devolution, subsidiarity, and their opposition to Brexit. A ll 7 MPs support a second EU referendum.

Shuker has stated that "[we] back well-regulated business but in return we expect them to provide decent, secure and well-paid jobs", while Leslie has stressed the group is pro-NATO. Moreover, the group have stated they support a "diverse, mixed social market economy". The group also oppose antisemitism and racism, with Berger and Smith accusing the Labour Party of being "institutionally anti-Semitic".

Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, and Anna Soubry all condemned Brexit, political tribalism, goverment cuts, the toxic of political debate in the UK and political intimidation of party members by elements the public; things that the 8 ex-Labour MPs also felt upset by.

Umunna hopes that by the end of 2019 a new party will be formed.

General data

 * Leaders- Chuka Umunna(?) and Luciana Berger(?).
 * Financial reserves- N\A, but small.
 * Name- The Independent Group.
 * Headquarters- 3rd Floor, 1 Ashley Road, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 2DT.
 * MEPs- 0.
 * MPs- 11 of 650.
 * Devolved assembly members- 0.
 * Metro-mayors- 0.
 * Councilors- 0.
 * Police and crime commissioners- 0.
 * Website- www.theindependent.group.

Members of Parliament

 * 1) Heidi Allen, South Cambridgeshire
 * 2) Luciana Berger, Liverpool Wavertree*
 * 3) Ann Coffey, Stockport
 * 4) Mike Gapes, Ilford South
 * 5) Chris Leslie, Nottingham East
 * 6) Joan Ryan, Enfield North *
 * 7) Gavin Shuker, Luton South *
 * 8) Angela Smith, Penistone and Stocksbridge**
 * 9) Anna Soubry, Broxtowe***
 * 10) Chuka Umunna, Streatham
 * 11) Sarah Wollaston, Totnes


 *  *  Hated locally for being Jewish\pro-Jewish.
 *  **  Hated locally for being a woman.
 *  ***  Hated locally for being pro-remain\anti-Brexit.

Ian Austin MP
On 22 February 2019, Austin resigned from the Labour Party and became an independent MP, although he didn't join The Independent Group because he disagrees with its members on the issue of another referendum on Brexit.