Chuka Umunna joins Liberal Democrats after Change UK split

‘I am convinced the Liberal Democrats, as the spearhead of a broader progressive movement in civil society, offer the best chance to improve lives’

Former Labour and Change UK MP Chuka Umunna has joined the Liberal Democrats.

Announcing the news on Twitter on Thursday, he said: “I’m delighted to say I’ve joined the LibDems!”

The former shadow business secretary quit Labour in February this year to join the new independent group, which became Change UK ahead of the European elections last month.

Following disappointing election results, where Change UK failed to make gains but the Lib Dems came second after the Brexit Party, Mr Umunna went independent.

Explaining his decision to join the Lib Dems, Mr Umunna said the party was “at the forefront” of “a progressive and internationalist movement” in British politics.

He said: “Labour and the Tories are committed to facilitating Brexit, and Brexit makes ending austerity virtually impossible.

“The Liberal Democrats are not – they were arguing for a people’s vote and to remain in the EU from the very start.

“I am convinced the Liberal Democrats, as the spearhead of a broader progressive movement in civil society, offer the best chance to improve the lives of those I represent as well as countless other citizens across our country.”

In an interview with The Times, Mr Umunna said he was wrong to believe there were “millions of politically homeless people that wanted a new option on the ballot paper” when he joined Change UK.

He added that he “vastly underestimated” the importance of having existing relationships with voters – something he admitted Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable pointed out to him long before he left the Labour Party.

Mr Umunna insisted he had not joined the party to become leader, telling The Times: “I will not be leading the Lib Dems now or at any point.” He refused to take sides between Lib Dem leadership contenders Ed Davey and Jo Swinson, saying he was a “newbie”.

Mr Davey said the Streatham MP had “shown huge courage” and would make a “major contribution” to the party. He added: “Stopping Brexit is my number one priority and I welcome Chuka to our benches as a key player in this fight.”

Labour MP John Mann called on Mr Umunna, who described himself as “a Streatham boy born and bred”, to call a by-election after confirming his move to the Liberal Democrats.

He tweeted: “Let’s see Chuka show some bottle and call a by-election. Not holding my breath.”

Welcoming Mr Umunna, Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said: “Chuka and I have worked together effectively for many months, campaigning for a People’s Vote and to Stop Brexit.

“I know that he will be a great asset to our party not just on Brexit but in fighting for the liberal and social democratic values that we share.

“He joins alongside 20,000 people across the country just this month, demonstrating clearly that the Liberal Democrats are the biggest, clearest and most formidable force in the liberal centre ground of British politics today.”

Reacting to the news, the party’s former leader Tim Farron said: “Fantastic news. Welcome Chuka!”

Lib Dem MP Tom Brake said: “The campaign to secure a People’s Vote and to Stop Brexit just got immeasurably stronger” after Chuka Umunna joined his party.

He tweeted: “Absolutely excellent news that fellow committed Remainer Chuka Umunna has joined the Lib Dems.”