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Reuters Chuka Umunna arrives at a news conference announcing the resignation of seven MPs 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.
Labour MP Luciana Berger announces her resignation. Other MPs including Chris Leslie, Chuka Umunna, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith and Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey (not present) also resigned
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.
"Our aim is to pursue policies that are evidence-based, not led by ideology, taking a long-term perspective to the challenges of the 21st century in the national interest, rather than locked in the old politics of the 20th century in the party’s interests.
The MPs who quit Labour are: Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Ann Coffey, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker and Mike Gapes.
Labour MP Luciana Berger announces her resignation. Other MPs including Chris Leslie, Chuka Umunna, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith and Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey (not present) also resigned 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.
"Our aim is to pursue policies that are evidence-based, not led by ideology, taking a long-term perspective to the challenges of the 21st century in the national interest, rather than locked in the old politics of the 20th century in the party’s interests.
Jeremy Corbyn was disappointed by the move
"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."
They are angry over leader Jeremy Corbyn's approach to Brexit and his lack of progress on tackling accusations of anti-Semitism within Labour.
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.
Writing in the Sun on Sunday, Michael Dugher said the Labour Party had repeatedly failed to "adequately tackle anti-Semitism".
The now chief executive of UK Music said: "I will continue to have lots of dear friends in the Labour Party, including many talented MPs and hard-working local councillors who are fantastically dedicated public servants.
"Yet in all good conscience, I can no longer justify paying subs to a party which I now regard as institutionally anti-Semitic."
"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."
They are angry over leader Jeremy Corbyn's approach to Brexit and his lack of progress on tackling accusations of anti-Semitism within Labour.
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.
Writing in the Sun on Sunday, Michael Dugher said the Labour Party had repeatedly failed to "adequately tackle anti-Semitism".
The now chief executive of UK Music said: "I will continue to have lots of dear friends in the Labour Party, including many talented MPs and hard-working local councillors who are fantastically dedicated public servants.
"Yet in all good conscience, I can no longer justify paying subs to a party which I now regard as institutionally anti-Semitic."
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