Politics
Tony Blair tipped to be next to join Independent Group
Tony Blair is odds-on favourite to be next to join the new Independent Group. The former Prime Minister joins Alistair Campbell, Heidi Allen and Nicky Morgan on a list of the potential next big names to join the group. It follows news that three Tory MPs have quit their party to join the centrist faction. Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen and Anna Soubry joined eight Labour MPs, with rumours circulating that more politicians are likely to jump ship. The Independent Group have been priced at...
Theresa May taunted by her own pro-EU remarks ahead of crucial Brexit negotiations
Theresa May was welcomed back to Brussels with a giant billboard ad of her own pro-EU remarks as Brexit D-Day draws close. The Prime Minister is in Belgium today to continue talks with the European Union. She will try to renegotiate the Irish backstop as well as request legally-binding assurances that the backstop will not extend indefinitely. However, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said he does not expect a "breakthrough" in talks. And to add insult to injury, May was welcomed to...
Tory MPs leave party to join Labour breakaway group
Three MPs - Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen and Anna Soubry - leave the Tory party to join Labour breakaway group. The Independent Group was formed yesterday by seven former Labour MPs, including Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger and Chris Leslie. Late yesterday evening Joan Ryan became the eighth MP to quit Labour and join the new group. In a letter to Theresa May to explain their reasons for leaving the Conservative Party, they wrote: “We no longer feel we can remain in the party...
Man who threatened MP Yvette Cooper cautioned by police
The 59-year-old Leeds man was arrested in Castleford on Friday, 1 February over threats to the Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford MP
Watch – Fantastic Brexit takedown from man losing job at Honda has gone viral
Honda is going to shut its Swindon car plant in 2022, with the loss of about 3,500 jobs. Local MP Justin Tomlinson said he had spoken to Honda, which confirmed it was consulting with "all staff". "There is not expected to be any job losses, or changes in production until 2021," Mr Tomlinson said. Des Quinn from Unite said: "The car industry in the UK over the last two decades has been the jewel in the crown for the manufacturing...
Umunna’s decision to quit Labour and form new Independent Group divides constituents
The 40-year-old has been MP for Streatham in south London since 2010
Claims Honda is about to close factory in Britain with loss of over 3,500 jobs
Reports say the car giant is set to announce the shutting of the plant in Swindon., Wilts, on Tuesday
“Hugely disappointing” Labour resignations “risking a Tory Government”
This morning’s resignations by seven Labour MPs has dealt a blow to Jeremy Corbyn's hopes of entering 10 Downing Street. The split is seen as similar to the 'gang of four' who broke away to set up the SDP in the 80s. The MPs who have left to sit as independents are – Chuka Umunna, MP for Streatham and former shadow business secretary. Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree and former shadow minister for mental health. Gavin Shuker, MP for...
Corbyn calls for Labour defectors to submit themselves to by elections
Jeremy Corbyn has called for Labour defectors to submit themselves to by elections after they quit the party to start a rival group. Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gape, Gavin Shuker and Anne Coffey announced they were resigning today and will sit in Parliament as the Independent Group. Leslie said Labour has been “hijacked by the machine politics of the left”, while Mike Grapes called the party "racist and antisemitic". But Corbyn reminded the group that Labour policies "inspired millions...