Chuka Umunna led a group of Labour MPs in quitting the party over Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of Brexit and claims of anti-Semitism.
The MPs, including Luciana Berger, stood down today and formed a new group of Independent MPs in a protest over the future of British politics in a significant party split.
The MPs who quit Labour are: Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Ann Coffey, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker and Mike Gapes.
Announcing the move, Luciana Berger said: “This morning we have all now resigned from the Labour Party. This has been a very difficult, painful, but necessary decision.
We represent different parts of the country, we are of different backgrounds, we were born of different generations, but we all share the same values.
From today, we will all sit in Parliament as a new independent group of MPs.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: 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.
The group issued a statement that said: “We are leaving the Labour Party to sit as the Independent Group of Members of Parliament.
Our primary duty as Members of Parliament is to put the best interests of our constituents and our country first. Yet like so many others, we believe that none of today’s political parties are fit to provide the leadership and direction needed by our country.
As an Independent Group we aim to recognise the value of healthy debate, show tolerance towards different opinions and seek to reach across outdated divides and build consensus to tackle Britain’s problems.
Ilford South MP Mike Gapes, a former chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said: I am sickened that the Labour Party is now a racist, anti-Semitic party.
I am furious that the Labour leadership is complicit in facilitating Brexit, which will cause great economic, social and political damage to our country.
Jeremy Corbyn and those around him are on the wrong side on so many international issues from Russia, to Syria, to Venezuela.
A Corbyn Labour government would threaten our national security and international alliances.
Ahead of the announcement, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was deeply distressed the Labour Party split, but admitted the party has been shockingly poor at dealing with anti-Semitism.
He said: We know that there are members of the Labour Party who have either joined who have clearly anti-Semitic views, or have been in our party for some time and clearly have anti-Semitic views.
The Labour Party hasn’t acted swiftly enough to kick them out. Labour disclosed last week it had received 673 allegations of anti-Semitism by its members over the past 10 months, leading to 12 individuals being expelled.