Seven Labour MPs split from party over Brexit, antisemitism

Seven Labour MPs resigned from the party on Monday in protest over its Brexit policy and the failure to deal with antisemitism among members.

The seven, including Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger and long-standing MP Mike Gapes, told a news conference they would sit as an independent centrist group. They said they could vote with other parties on a case-by-case basis, but would not merge with another group.

The other MPs are Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith, Chris Leslie and Ann Coffey. Labour MPs were divided on the breakaway group, with some saying they should resign their seats and stand as independents in by-elections, others said the split was a warning that the party needed to change course from its shift to the hard left.

Berger, an outspoken critic of leader Jeremy Corbyn over the antisemitism issue, said she had become “embarrassed and ashamed” to be in the party.

“I am leaving behind a culture of bullying bigotry and intimidation. I look forward to a future serving with colleagues who respect each other,” she said.

Umunna, once touted as a potential party leader and campaigner for a second Brexit referendum, said it had “been like getting blood from a stone getting the Labour party to do the right thing by our constituents on this issue”.

“It’s time we dumped this country’s old-fashioned politics... So we’ve have taken the first step in leaving the old, tribal politics behind and we invite others who share our political values to do so too."

Corbyn said he was "disappointed" the MPs have "felt unable to continue to work together".

"The Conservative Government is bungling Brexit, while Labour has set out a unifying and credible alternative plan. When millions are facing the misery of Universal Credit, rising crime, homelessness and poverty, now more than ever is the time to bring people together to build a better future for us all," he said in a statement.

However, his words contrasted sharply with his deputy Tom Watson, who said the party had been slow to recognise its problem with antisemitism "and even slower to deal with it".

"Betrayal narratives and shouting insults at the departed might make some feel better briefly but it does nothing to address the reasons that good colleagues might want to leave," said Watson.

"I love this party. But sometimes I no longer recognise it, that is why I do not regard those who have resigned today as traitors."