Seven MPs led by Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna quit the Labour party today with a furious attack on Jeremy Corbyn for turning Labour into an 'institutionally anti-Semitic' party that was dominated by bullying, harassment and the hard-left.
Vowing to 'change politics', the new 'Independent Group' of MPs - drawn from different generations of Labour - also includes Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Ann Coffey and Mike Gapes.
They accused Mr Corbyn of turning Labour into a racist party that weakens national security, accepts the 'narrative' of Britain's enemies and lashed him for facilitating Brexit.
In a joint statement, the MPs warned 'visceral hatreds of other people, views and opinions are commonplace in and around the Labour Party'.
The claims provoked a furious response from allies of Mr Corbyn. Len McCluskey claimed anti-Semitism in Labour was 'grossly unfair' and 'contrived'.
The 'gang of seven' are all fiercely anti-Brexit and most have called for a second referendum on the deal. The move is unlikely to change the balance of Commons votes on Brexit as several of the group already rebelled against Mr Corbyn - but their departure could firm up Mr Corbyn's position against a new vote.
Following the biggest split in British politics since the SDP was formed out of Labour in 1981, Mr Umunna called for MPs from other parties to defect to The Independent Group.
He said the current Westminster system was 'broken' and appealed to the public for donations to get the new project - which is not yet a political party able to stand candidates - off the ground.
Mr Corbyn hit back at the new movement within moments and blasted: '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.'
A furious backlash from the left started immediately. The Momentum group that supports Mr Corbyn said the MPs wanted to 'drag Britain back to the politics of the past' while union chiefs warned they had 'no policies, no ideas and no direction'.
The Young Labour Twitter account vowed: 'Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, we'll keep the red flag flying here.'
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell demanded the MPs resign their seats and fight by-elections - insisting it was the 'honourable' course of action after Mr Corbyn's manifesto helped them increase their majorities in 2017.
Luciana Berger said she had become 'ashamed and embarrassed' to be in Corbyn's Labour, branding the party 'institutionally anti-Semitic'. The MPs involved are (seated from left) Chris Leslie, Mike Gapes, Ann Coffey, Ms Berger, Angela Smith, Chuka Umunna and Gavin Shuker
Chuka Umunna called for MPs from other parties to defect and join The Independent Group as he said British politics was 'broken'.
Following the biggest split in British politics since the SDP was formed out of Labour in 1981, Mr Umunna (right) called for MPs from other parties to defect and join The Independent Group as he said British politics was 'broken'.
Vowing to 'change politics', the new 'Independent Group' of MPs - drawn from different generations of Labour - includes (from left) Chris Leslie, Mike Gapes, Luciana Berger, Ann Coffey, Chuka Umunna, Angela Smith and Gavin Shuker
The Independent Group launched a new website and invited people to subscribe for updates today
On an explosive day in Westminster:
- Seven MPs resigned from the Labour Party and set up The Independent Group, launching a furious blast at Jeremy Corbyn for transforming the party into a hotbed of abuse and racism
- The 'gang of seven' are Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes and Gavin Shuker
- Group includes former members of the shadow cabinet and includes politicians who have been MPs for decades
- Corbyn hit back within moments to say he was 'disappointed' the MPs were defecting away from Labour
- The left-wing Momentum group that supports Corbyn accused the MPs of wanting to drag Britain 'back to the politics of the past' as a furious backlash started on the left. Young Labour quoted the 'Red Flag' party anthem to brand the MPs 'cowards' and 'traitors'
- Unite leader Len McCluskey told the BBC the anti-Semitism allegations were 'grossly unfair' and 'contrived'
- But the Board of Deputies of British Jews said the defections were a 'searing indictment' of the state of the Labour Party after the anti-Semitism scandal
- A jubilant Conservative Party seized on the split to warn Corbyn should never be allowed to do to the country what he has done to Labour
- But attention will soon switch to whether any Tory MPs can be tempted to abandon Theresa May and hard Brexiteers and join the new group
Opening a sensational press conference in Westminster, Ms Berger said she was resigning because she was ashamed and embarrassed' to be in Corbyn's Labour.
She said: 'For my part, I have become embarrassed and ashamed to remain in the Labour Party.
'I have not changed. The core values of equality for all, opportunity for all, anti-racism against all and social justice - the values which I hold really dear and which led me to join the Labour Party as a student almost 20 years ago - remain who I am.
'And yet these values have been consistently and constantly violated, undermined and attacked, as the Labour Party today declines to my constituents and our country before party interests.
'I cannot remain in a party which I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic.'
Former shadow chancellor Mr Leslie said Labour had been 'taken over' by the 'machine politics of the hard left' - insisting the party had left him and not that his values had changed.
Mr Leslie slammed Mr Corbyn's failure to endorse a second referendum on Brexit.
Veteran MP Mr Gapes said he was 'sickened that Labour is now racist anti-Semitic party and furious that Labour party complicit in facilitating Brexit'.
Mr Umunna called for defections from other parties and urged MPs to come and join the new movement if they 'share our values too'.
He said: 'For far too long, political parties in Westminster - parties of which we have been a part - have been failing you,' he said.
'If you are sick and tired of politics as usual, guess what? So are we.
'That's why we have done what we have done today and why we commit to do things differently.
'We don't have all the answers, so we will treat people like adults and be honest about the tough choices facing Britain.
'We don't have the big money or infrastructure of the political parties. All we can do is direct you to our website. Please sign up.
'We are asking you to help us shape what the next steps should be.
'Building a new politics cannot be done in committee rooms in Westminster, so we want to invite you - the British people - to join us in this endeavour.
'If you want an alternative, please help us build it. The bottom line is this - politics is broken, it doesn't have to be this way. Let's change it.'
Mr Gapes, a former chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told the press conference: 'I am sickened that the Labour Party is now a racist, anti-Semitic party.
'I am furious that the Labour leadership is complicit in facilitating Brexit, which will cause great economic, social and political damage to our country.
'Jeremy Corbyn and those around him are on the wrong side on so many international issues - from Russia, to Syria, to Venezuela.
'A Corbyn Labour government would threaten our national security and international alliances.'
In a statement, the group said: 'Each of us has dedicated decades to the progressive values that were once held true by Labour, values which have since been abandoned by today's Labour Party.
'Labour now pursues policies that would weaken our national security; accepts the narratives of states hostile to our country; has failed to take a lead in addressing the challenge of Brexit and to provide a strong and coherent alternative to the Conservatives' approach; is passive in circumstances of international humanitarian distress; is hostile to businesses large and small; and threatens to destabilise the British economy in pursuit of ideological objectives.
'For a Party that once committed to pursue a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect, it has changed beyond recognition. Today, visceral hatreds of other people, views and opinions are commonplace in and around the Labour Party.'
Ann Coffey filed into the sensational press conference ahead of Mr Umunna today as the rebel group finally made its move
Angela Smith (left) and Gavin Shuker (right) joined in the explosive criticism of Corbyn's Labour Party and called on MPs to 'dump' the current model of British politics
Within moments of the mass resignation, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured today leaving home) hit back: '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'
Chuka Umunna is among the Labour MPs to have given up on the party today to set up a new 'Independent Group' in Parliament
Former shadow chancellor Mr Leslie said Labour had been 'taken over' by the 'machine politics of the hard left' - insisting the party had left him and not that his values had changed
Ahead of today's event Labour MPs started insisting they would never leave their party.
Shadow communities secretary Andrew Gwynne said Labour had been his 'political home' for 27 years 'under Kinnock, Smith, Blair, Brown, Miliband and Corbyn - and it will remain so'.
His statement was endorsed by Alison McGovern - a leading member of the centrist Progress faction of Labour.
She said: 'When I was growing up, if something good happened - not political - anything good - my Dad would describe it as a 'Labour Gain'.
'Can never turn my back on the fight to see Labour win.'
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth said: 'I've no idea of the truth of what may happen today but I plead with colleagues at this late stage to stay.
'The Labour Party needs a broad base, more importantly our constituents need a Labour government and a splinter only ever helps the Tories.'
The interventions suggest any breakaway will be met by fury from many of those who stay behind, even among those deeply opposed to Mr Corbyn.
Corbyn ally and Unite leader Len McCluskey yesterday urged the rebels to make their move if they were going to.
Rumours have swirled for months about the prospect of a split - with the MPs mulling whether to sit as independents or even form a new centrist party.
Mr McClusksey told the BBC's John Pienaar: 'If you are going to leave, for God's sake get on with it and stop pestering us through the media and through the TV.'
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell struck a more conciliatory tone yesterday, pleading with the MPs to stay for fear it would help the Tories.
He told Marr: 'It would be like the 1980s. My constituency in Hayes and Harlington, we had a Labour MP join the SDP and we lost the seat to the Conservatives.
'And it basically installed Mrs Thatcher in power for that decade.'
Mr McDonnell also defended an online 'loyalty pledge' that has seen Labour MPs facing pressure to back a commitment to 'work for the achievement of a Labour-led government' under whatever leadership.
The registered office for the company behind The Independent Group is above a pub called The Unicorn
Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the rear entrance of Downing Street today after spending the weekend in her Maidenhead constituency
In a signal of a backlash against the splinter group, shadow communities secretary Andrew Gwynne said Labour had been his 'political home' for 27 years 'under Kinnock, Smith, Blair, Brown, Miliband and Corbyn - and it will remain so'.
Alison McGovern - a leading member of the centrist Progress faction of Labour - said: 'When I was growing up, if something good happened - not political - anything good - my Dad would describe it as a 'Labour Gain'.'
Last night Labour MP Stephen Kinnock - linked by some to the rebel group - told BBC Radio 4's The Westminster Hour on Sunday: 'The talk has been going on so long that I say with great regret that, yes, there probably will be some kind of splintering.
'It just seems to have been in the rumour mill so long that it's unlikely that wouldn't be the outcome.'
Several Labour MPs have walked away from the party since Mr Corbyn was first elected leader in 2015.
They include Tristram Hunt and Jamie Reed who quit Parliament entirely to take up new jobs.
Frank Field quit the parliamentary party last year in protest at the anti-Semitism scandal and now sits as an independent.
John Woodcock left the party accusing it of 'rigging' an inquiry into harassment claims against him. He was a harsh critic of Mr Corbyn and vowed never to help him enter No 10.
'Between this and Brexit we're f***ed': BBC microphone gaffe as journalist accidentally shares his thoughts on anti-Corbyn MPs' press conference live on air
The BBC has been forced to apologise after it accidentally broadcast a journalist telling a colleague, 'we're f****d' live on air today.
The gaffe came as the BBC News channel broadcast live footage of seven Labour MPs dramatically resigning from the party to create a new Independent Group.
But in an impromptu commentary, a member of the audience can be heard saying: 'Between this and Brexit, we are actually f****d. The Conservatives are going to win.'
Chuka Umunna called for MPs from other parties to defect and join The Independent Group as he said British politics was 'broken'. Shortly after he finished speaking, a journalist could be heard sharing his thoughts
Viewers watching the BBC livestream were pick to quick up on the gaffe
It remains unclear whether the man who could be heard over the BBC feed works for the corporation or was representing another media organisation.
He could be heard giving his sombre outlook after Chuka Umunna addressed the audience at the press conference at London's County Hall.
As Luciana Berger thanked family and friends for their support, the man says: 'We're going to be so divided.'
The pair can then be heard muttering and giggling as the MPs answer questions.
BBC presenter Samira Ahmed, who was presenting the Victoria Derbyshire show, later apologised for the expletives.
She said: 'I should say for those who were listening to that live news conference, there was some bad language apparently, so we do apologise if anyone was offended by what they might have heard.'
Claims up to 100 moderates face DESELECTION battles from Corbyn's Labour including Ed Miliband, Harriet Harman and Yvette Cooper
By John Stevens, Deputy Political Editor for the Daily Mail
Labour went over the cliff of a bitter split today amid claims up to a hundred MPs face the threat of a deselection battle.
The claims emerged just hours before seven MPs resigned from the Labour Party in the biggest schism in British politics since 1981.
Moderates believe party grandees including Ed Miliband, Harriet Harman, Yvette Cooper and Dame Margaret Beckett will all face attempts to oust them, along with Labour frontbenchers Diane Abbott and Dan Carden.
It is anticipated that around a quarter of the 100 MPs expected to be subject to a contest will lose, removing them as Labour candidates for the next election.
Moderates believe party grandees including Ed Miliband (left), Harriet Harman, Yvette Cooper (right) and Dame Margaret Beckett will all face attempts to oust them
Others believed to have little chance of surviving deselection challenges include former party leadership candidates Mary Creagh and Angela Eagle, Commons Brexit committee chairman Hilary Benn, leading Brexiteer Kate Hoey and former international development spokesman Kate Osamor.
The deselection process does not usually happen until much nearer the next election, but Labour's general secretary Jennie Formby has already started discussions on setting the timetable – raising fears it could start within months.
Many of those facing the prospect of deselection have warned they will stand as independents if they are removed.
Moderates believe party grandees including Dame Margaret Beckett (left) and Harriet Harman (right) will all face attempts to oust them
One of those involved in discussions about a breakaway group has told colleagues that whilst they have reservations about whether it will be a success, they are determined not to simply walk away as they want to 'burn the house down' on their way out.
John McDonnell yesterday warned Labour MPs thinking of leaving that they could keep it out of a power for a decade if they take away votes in marginal seats.
The shadow chancellor told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: 'It would be like the 1980s. My constituency in Hayes and Harlington, we had a Labour MP join the SDP and we lost the seat to the Conservatives.
'And it basically installed Mrs Thatcher in power for that decade.'
Mr McDonnell also defended an online 'loyalty pledge' that has seen Labour MPs facing pressure to back a commitment to 'work for the achievement of a Labour-led government' under whatever leadership.
A number of Labour MPs including Mr McDonnell, shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey and shadow education secretary Angela Rayner tweeted their support for the pledge.
Mr McDonnell said people wanted 'reassurance' that their MPs are 'Labour through and through', and stressed that he does not see 'any need' for anyone to split from the party.
But Unite general secretary Len McCluskey took a different stance. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he told those thinking about quitting the party: 'If you are going to leave, for God's sake get on with it and stop pestering us through the media and through the TV, and let the rest of us fight for a better Britain or stay and help us.'
Dame Margaret told Sky News's Sophy Ridge on Sunday it would be 'a mistake' for the MPs to go.
John McDonnell (pictured) yesterday warned Labour MPs thinking of leaving that they could keep it out of a power for a decade if they take away votes in marginal seats
Luciana Berger: Dubbed a 'dirty little Zionist rat' by pro-Corbyn activists
- Heavily pregnant Luciana Berger, has been Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree' since 2010
- Has been at the centre of the Labour party's anti-Semitism row and a vocal critic of Corbyn's leadership
- Dubbed a 'dirty little Zionist rat' by pro-Corbyn activists, Luciana grew up in Wembley, in a close Jewish family
- Her father runs a family home furnishing business, and until recently her mother worked in a palliative care unit
- Liverpool Wavertree voted Remain by 64.7% in 2016.
Ms Berger accidentally introduced herself as 'the Labour Party MP', before correcting herself and saying: 'I am the Member of Parliament for Liverpool Wavertree'.
She 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.'
Ms Berger said she had become 'embarrassed and ashamed to remain in the Labour Party'.
'I have not changed. The core values of equality for all, opportunity for all, anti-racism against all and social justice - the values which I hold really dear and which led me to join the Labour Party as a student almost 20 years ago - remain who I am.
'And yet these values have been consistently and constantly violated, undermined and attacked, as the Labour Party today declines to my constituents and our country before party interests.
'I cannot remain in a party which I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic.'
Chuka Umunna: 'Politics is broken. It doesn't have to be this way'
- Chuka Umunna, the MP for Streatham since 2010. Umunna ran — briefly — for the Labour leadership in 2015. He withdrew citing a desire to protect his private life from scrutiny
- Born in 1978 to a Nigerian father, who arrived in Liverpool in 1964 aged 23, according to Umunna's biog, 'with one suitcase and no money'; and an English-Irish mother, a probation officer and later lawyer who supported her family while Chuka's father built up his business.
- His father, Bennett, died in a car crash soon after standing to be a governor of a Nigerian state on an anti-bribery platform in 1992
- Streatham voted Remain by 79.5% in 2016
At the launch today, he said: 'It is time we dumped this country's old-fashioned politics,' he says. The UK needs a political party 'fit for the here and now' and the 'first step in leaving the tribal politics behind'.
'You don't join a political party to fight the people within it,' he says. The new group will have its first formal meeting in the coming days.'
Umunna says the bottom line is: 'Politics is broken. It doesn't have to be this way. Let's change it.'
Mike Gapes: 'Sickened by party's anti-semitism'
- MP for Ilford South since the 1992 general election and one of the Labour Party's longest serving MPs
- Is sickened by antisemitism in the party and is furious that the Labour leadership 'is facilitating Brexit'
- Gapes was born in Wanstead Hospital, the son of a postman, and a shop assistant
- He worked at Labour Party Headquarters for 15 years from 1977 until 1992 including serving from 1988 to 1992 as International Secretary of the Labour Party
- Ilford South voted Remain by 56.7% in 2016.
Veteran MP Mr Gapes said he was 'sickened that Labour is now racist anti-Semitic party and furious that Labour party complicit in facilitating Brexit'
Mr Gapes, a former chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told the press conference: 'I am sickened that the Labour Party is now a racist, anti-Semitic party.
'I am furious that the Labour leadership is complicit in facilitating Brexit, which will cause great economic, social and political damage to our country.
'Jeremy Corbyn and those around him are on the wrong side on so many international issues - from Russia, to Syria, to Venezuela.
'A Corbyn Labour government would threaten our national security and international alliances.'
Ann Coffey: 'I thought I'd be in Labour for the rest of my life'
- MP for Stockport since 1992 and one of Labour's longest serving politicians, after first being elected as a councillor in 1984
- Accused Corbyn of 'tolerating' anti-Semitism so it is 'rife' inside the Labour Party
- She is the author of Real Voices, an independent report into child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester published in October 2014
- Stockport voted Remain by 53.2% in 2016
Ann Coffey told the press conference: 'I thought I would be in the Labour Party for the rest of my life.
'But political parties are not an end in themselves in a parliamentary democracy.
'The Labour Party has lost sight of this, it is no longer a broad church.
'Any criticism of the leadership is responded to with abuse and accusations of treachery.
'Anti-Semitism is rife and tolerated.'
Angela Smith: Voters feel 'politically homeless' as the country faces huge challenges
- Has been an MP for two constituencies - first for Sheffield Hillsborough 2005-10 and since 2010 Penistone and Stocksbridge
- Served as a shadow minister under Ed Miliband after being a Labour Party members since she was 16 years old
- Before politics, she worked for five years in the NHS before a career as an English lecturer
- She was targeted in the expenses scandal after it emerged she submitted claims for four beds for her one bedroom flat in London
- Penistone and Stockbridge voted Leave by 60.7% in 2016
Angela Smith rejected comparisons with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) breakaway in 1981.
'I just don't think the comparison with the SDP stands up to scrutiny,' said Ms Smith.
'This is a different century and the challenges that the country faces are on a scale that I don't think we have seen at any other time in the post-war period.'
She added that voters felt 'politically homeless'.
Chris Leslie: 'Labour has been hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left'
- Elected as MP for Nottingham East in 2010, Leslie was supposed to be a high flyer - serving briefly as shadow chancellor after the 2015 election
- He was first elected as MP aged just 24, winning Shipley between 1997 and 2005 - serving as a junior minister under Tony Blair - before losing to Tory Philip Davies
- Leslie worked for a Blairite think tank while out of Parliament
- Nottingham East voted Remain by 57.1%
In a video for his Twitter followers Chris Leslie said: 'Today I've announced I'm leaving the Labour Party and will continue to sit in Parliament representing Nottingham East in a new independent group of MPs.
'I've been a Labour Party member for more than three decades but the Labour Party I joined is no longer today's Labour Party. I did everything I could to save it but it has now been hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left.
'My values haven't changed. I absolutely oppose this Conservative government and desperately want an alternative which tackles the barriers of poverty and discrimination by extending opportunity for all.
'But British politics is now well and truly broken and in all conscience I cannot look you in the face and honestly urge you to support a Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour government.'
Gavin Shuker: 'If you want to build something new, this is the moment to build it
- First elected in 2010 as the MP for Luton South
- Educated at state school, he was leader and pastor of the City Life Church in Luton before entering politics
- Luton South voted Leave by 54.6%
Mr Shuker, in a direct appeal for donations, added: "If you want to build something new, if you feel as politically homeless as us, this is the moment to build it."
He told his constituents: "My decision to leave the Party is rooted in my commitment to the constituents of Luton South and to making decisions in their best interests.
'Today, the Labour party is riddled with anti-Semitism, it presents a threat to our national security and it's perfectly content to enable the hard Tory Brexit that will directly and negatively affect people in Luton.
"At a national level, I hope you'll agree that politics, as it is, is broken. None of the parties are providing the leadership that we need at this moment of crisis, and you've been trying to tell us this for a long time - not just since Brexit. That's why my hope is that the actions I've taken today, alongside others, will enable us to change politics, together.'
photo link
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/labour-split-seven-anti-corbyn-rebels-quit-bullying-party/
News Photo Labour split: SEVEN anti-Corbyn rebels QUIT 'bullying' party
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