Drive for members as Independent Group aims to become ‘fully fledged political party’

Leader Anna Soubry said the group wants to mend the UK’s ‘broken politics’

Anna Soubry: 'We made more progress in a days’ worth of debate than in two years of this government' (AFP/Getty)

Six months after splitting from Conservative and Labour parties, the five MPs in the Independent Group for Change have issued a call for members to sign up to their new party.

Leader Anna Soubry said they hope the move will help transform the IGC from a small opposition grouping at Westminster into a “fully fledged political party”.

It is the latest step in a journey which saw 11 breakaway MPs resign their parties in February to form The Independent Group – also known as the Tiggers – and stand candidates as Change UK in a disastrous European election campaign in May, only to split in June, with former leader Heidi Allen forming a five-strong non-party group called The Independents and prominent MP Chuka Umunna joining the Liberal Democrats.

The remaining five – renamed The Independent Group for Change in July – have vowed to stand candidates in upcoming elections, though they stood aside in the recent Brecon and Radnorshire by-election to allow the Remain-backing Lib Dem a clear run.

Issuing an appeal for members to join, former Conservative minister Ms Soubry said: “Our politics is broken, but it is time to make a stand for something better.

“Brexit is the biggest challenge facing our nation, but there are so many others – from making sure our children get the best possible education, to looking after our elderly parents and grandparents; from making our streets safe again, to building the homes our communities desperately need.

“None of the main parties are talking about meeting these challenges – but with your help, we will. We will organise in our communities and in parliament to make the arguments for the change our country badly needs.

“We took the first step by leaving our former parties. It was a hard choice – but it was the right one. Now we’re ready for the next stage of changing our broken politics.”

The Independent Group split in June after failing to make a breakthrough in European elections (PA)

For a fee of £5 a month, members are offered the opportunity to be part of the party’s policymaking process, as well as invitations to members-only events and regular newsletters.

They are required to sign up to a statement of values, which includes pursuing policies that are “evidence-based, not led by ideology” and that are not “locked in the old party political interests of the 20th century”.

The statement of values does not mention Brexit, but calls for “strong alliances with our closest European and international allies on trade, regulation, defence, security and counterterrorism”.

It commits the new party to a “mixed social-market economy”, “collective provision of public services”, the reduction of inequality through the extension of opportunity, urgent action on climate change and a defence policy which does “whatever it takes to safeguard Britain’s national security”.

In an apparent reflection of the circumstances in which its MPs quit their former parties, the rules state that members “must treat others with respect and must not bully, harass, or intimidate any party member, member of party staff, volunteer or member of the public”.

Membership can be denied to applicants who appear to be working on behalf of another party, have fundamental disagreements with the IGC’s objectives or are likely to bring the party into disrepute.