The explosive move triggered a furious backlash from the left with the group labelled 'traitors' and 'cowards' A senior Tory refused to rule out joining a new 'Independent Group' of MPs today after Labour's 'gang of seven' set off an earthquake in British politics.
Nick Boles, who has led cross-party efforts to secure the softest possible Brexit, stopped short of saying he would stay in the Tories and insisted he was fully focused on stopping a no deal on March 29 when asked if he would defect from the Conservatives.
Other Tory MPs such as Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston will also be the focus of attention with just 39 days until Brexit day. Both have vowed to do anything to stop a no deal and have warned they would quit the Tories if Boris Johnson or Jacob Rees-Mogg became leader.
At a sensational press conference Chuka Umunna, the ringleader of the new group, made a direct appeal to politicians in all parties warning voters were 'sick of politics as usual'.
He was one of seven Labour MPs to quit with an explosive attack on Jeremy Corbyn for letting anti-Semitism and a culture of bullying infect their party.
After the move Mr Corbyn's own deputy warned more MPs would abandon the party if Labour fails to deal with a culture of bullying and harassment.
Tom Watson said he believed the decision of seven MPs to resign and set up a new Independent Group was 'premature' but he refused to condemn them as 'traitors' as he admitted he also no longer recognised parts of Labour.
Labour's second in command said the hard-left takeover over of the party had left it with an army of activists 'too easily tempted into the language of heresy and treachery'.
The new 'Independent Group' of MPs is drawn from different generations of Labour and also includes pregnant MP Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Ann Coffey and Mike Gapes.
Their resignation signals the biggest split in British politics since the SDP walked out of Labour in 1981 and realigned the left - paving the way for Tony Blair's election in 1997.
They appealed to the public for donations to get the new project - which is not yet a political party and is not yet able to stand candidates - off the ground.
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.
Chuka Umunna called for MPs from other parties to defect and join The Independent Group as he said British politics was 'broken'
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
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
Tory MP Nick Boles stopped short of denying he would consider joining - insisting today he had not spoken to any of the seven MPs and was working with all sides to stop a no deal Brexit
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson (pictured responding to the crisis today) said he believed the decision of seven MPs to resign and set up a new Independent Group was 'premature' but he refused to condemn them and admitted he no longer recognised parts of Labour
Mr Watson warned Mr Corbyn he could lose more MPs if he did not respond effectively to today's blow.
He said: 'I think our colleagues have come to a premature conclusion. But this is a moment for regret and reflection, not for a mood of anger or a tone of triumph. There are those who are already celebrating the departure of colleagues with whom they disagree.
'The hard left can be too easily tempted into the language of heresy and treachery. Betrayal narratives and shouting insults at the departed might make some feel better briefly but it does nothing to address the reasons that good colleagues might want to leave.'
He added: 'The identity of this party must be tolerant, multi-cultural, generous and welcoming. To put it mildly, we need to be kinder and gentler.
'I love this party. But sometimes I no longer recognise it. That is why I do not regard those who have resigned today as traitors.'
Asked if he would join the new group, Mr Boles - who faces an attempt to de-select him by Brexiteer activists in his Grantham constituency - told BuzzFeed: 'They're all good people and I understand completely why they felt driven to leave Labour.
'I have not spoken with any of them about their plans and am totally focused on working with MPs of all parties to stop a no-deal Brexit on 29 March.'
Mrs May's former policy board chief George Freeman warned today: 'Unless the Conservatives reunite around a pro-business Brexit and recast it as a moment of inspiring One Nation renewal for a new generation, we'll be next.'
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
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'.
The Independent Group launched a new website and invited people to subscribe for updates today In a joint statement, the seven 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.
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.
Attention will turn swiftly to which MPs - from both sides of the Commons - might follow the seven MPs out of their party and into the new group. Tory Nick Boles stopped short of denying he would join the group today - insisting only he was working with MPs of all parties to stop a no deal Brexit.
Chuka Umunna called for MPs from other parties to defect and join The Independent Group as he said British politics was 'broken'
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
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
Tory MP Nick Boles stopped short of denying he would consider joining - insisting today he had not spoken to any of the seven MPs and was working with all sides to stop a no deal Brexit
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson (pictured responding to the crisis today) said he believed the decision of seven MPs to resign and set up a new Independent Group was 'premature' but he refused to condemn them and admitted he no longer recognised parts of LabourMr Watson warned Mr Corbyn he could lose more MPs if he did not respond effectively to today's blow.He said: 'I think our colleagues have come to a premature conclusion. But this is a moment for regret and reflection, not for a mood of anger or a tone of triumph. There are those who are already celebrating the departure of colleagues with whom they disagree.'The hard left can be too easily tempted into the language of heresy and treachery. Betrayal narratives and shouting insults at the departed might make some feel better briefly but it does nothing to address the reasons that good colleagues might want to leave.'He added: 'The identity of this party must be tolerant, multi-cultural, generous and welcoming. To put it mildly, we need to be kinder and gentler.'I love this party. But sometimes I no longer recognise it. That is why I do not regard those who have resigned today as traitors.'Asked if he would join the new group, Mr Boles - who faces an attempt to de-select him by Brexiteer activists in his Grantham constituency - told BuzzFeed: 'They're all good people and I understand completely why they felt driven to leave Labour.'I have not spoken with any of them about their plans and am totally focused on working with MPs of all parties to stop a no-deal Brexit on 29 March.'Mrs May's former policy board chief George Freeman warned today: 'Unless the Conservatives reunite around a pro-business Brexit and recast it as a moment of inspiring One Nation renewal for a new generation, we'll be next.'On an explosive day in Westminster:
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'.
The Independent Group launched a new website and invited people to subscribe for updates today In a joint statement, the seven 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.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.Attention will turn swiftly to which MPs - from both sides of the Commons - might follow the seven MPs out of their party and into the new group. Tory Nick Boles stopped short of denying he would join the group today - insisting only he was working with MPs of all parties to stop a no deal Brexit.
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