Independent group: Labour MPs fear more will quit as emotions run high at party meeting
John McDonnell and Emily Thornberry attend heated PLP gathering
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Emotions ran high at the Parliamentary Labour Party's weekly meeting as MPs reeled from the resignation of seven of their colleagues.
Ian Austin - a prominent critic of Jeremy Corbyn - told journalists gathered outside that he believed more people are considering taking the same course of action as those who splintered from the party on Monday morning at a surprise press conference.
Another politician described the meeting as a "complete and utter waste of time".
Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Mike Gapes, Ann Coffey, Angela Smith and Chuka Umunna have all resigned the whip, in what is being seen as the most significant split in British politics since the breakaway of the Social Democratic Party in the 1980s.
The parliamentarians will now sit as an “Independent Group” as they appeal to MPs from all parties to “leave the old tribal politics behind".
During the party meeting MPs Ruth Smeeth and Stella Creasy both said they would remain in the organisation, but Ms Smeeth was said to be visibly upset as she addressed colleagues during a short speech.
Some of Labour's top team attended the meeting including the shadow chancellor John McDonnell and the shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry.
The Labour leader himself was not present at the event as he was attending a funeral outside of London, a source told The Independent.
Tom Watson earlier warned Jeremy Corbyn that more Labour MPs will quit the party unless he agrees to changes.
Labour’s deputy leader spoke out after seven MPs announced their immediate resignations from the party, hitting out at Mr Corbyn’s leadership and policies on Brexit and antisemitism.
Ms Berger said in a speech on Monday that Labour had become “institutionally antisemitic” and added: ”I am leaving behind a culture of bullying, bigotry and intimidation.”
There were some early signs on Monday evening that The Independent Group might attract support from disenfranchised Conservatives to the new centre-ground anti-Brexit grouping in the chamber.
If you would like to see how the day's events unfolded live please see what was our live coverage below:
The seven MPs who quit Labour this morning are:
- Luciana Berger
- Chris Leslie
- Angela Smith
- Gavin Shuker
- Mike Gapes
- Ann Coffey
- Chuka Umunna
Here's Angela Smith speaking during this morning's press conference:
The People's Vote campaign insists it remains determined to secure the support of the Labour leadership, despite seven MPs supportive of a fresh referendum having quit the party this morning.
A spokesperson for the campaign said:
“We are not a political party, nor are we ever going to allow ourselves to be associated with just one faction of any political party. We are a campaign for a People’s Vote. We are supported by a cross-party group of MPs, as well as by members of the public from all parties and of none.
“Some MPs will have their own reasons for wanting to resign from a particular political party but, as a campaign, we are still working towards securing the support of the Labour front bench.
“Over the weekend, we were encouraged by comments by John McDonnell that Labour would push for a vote on its own Brexit proposals by the end of this month. We remain optimistic that if - or when - such Brexit options have been exhausted, Labour will be able to join the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, the Greens and many Conservatives, as well as hundreds of thousands of voters on the streets of London on 23 March, in calling for any final deal to be put to the people.”
Dame Margaret Hodge says she is staying in the Labour Party.
Writing on Twitter she says:
"Sad that a good group of colleagues feel pushed out of PLP by abject failure of leadership on Brexit, antisemitism & other issues. The intolerant culture promoted by the leadership makes it difficult for them. A dreadful, dark and divisive day for Labour.
Luciana has faced outrageous abuse, threats & hatred from her local party as well as nationally. With no support from the leadership I understand why enough is indeed enough for her. She has been a strong, determined & brave fighter in our campaign against antisemitism.
For far too long many of us have put up with intolerable & unprecedented antisemitic abuse from the hard left. But with my Jewish colleagues I want to stay and fight for the values, principles and soul of the party that was the natural home for Jews when I joined 57 years ago."
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth is not impressed by this morning's events...
Tory party chairman Brandon Lewis claims Jeremy Corbyn has changed the Labour Party "irreversibly".
Corbynites wouldn't necessarily disagree with that - they'd say he's transformed it into a social movement.
Away from Labour splits, Downing Street has rejected Donald Trump's calls for the UK to take back British citizens captured fighting for Isis.
Theresa May's official spokesman told this morning's briefing for Westminster journalists:
"Foreign fighters should be brought to justice in accordance with due legal process in the most appropriate jurisdiction.
"Where possible, this should be in the region where the crimes had been committed.
"We continue to work closely with our international partners on this. The government will do all it can to ensure the safety and security of the UK."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments