Luciana Berger among six MPs to quit Change UK

Luciana Berger is among six MP who have left Change UK – The Independent Group, after defecting from Labour and the Conservatives earlier this year.

Berger quit Labour citing antisemitism concerns during a press conference in February, where she said: “I cannot remain in a party that I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally antisemitic.”

The newly formed party split as high profile figures walked out following a poor showing at the recent local and European elections.

A joint statement from MPs leaving Change UK, tweeted by Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston, said: “We are all immensely proud of the team of Change UK candidates and supporters who stepped forward to join us in making the unequivocal case for Remain in the recent EU elections. We believe Change UK boosted the campaign and turnout.

“To all the newly elected MEPs who stood on an unambiguous manifesto to remain, we offer our congratulations and support as we continue fighting together for the UK to remain in the European Union.

“We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us over the past four months since we left our respective political parties.

“Heidi Allen, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith, Chuka Umunna and Sarah Wollaston have made the decision to leave Change UK, returning to supporting each other as an independent grouping of MPs.

“We believe that our priority right now must be to provide collegiate leadership to bring people together in the national interest. We know the landscape will continue to shift within the political environment and have concluded that by returning to sit as independents, we will be best placed to work cross party and respond flexibly. We wish our colleagues well as they continue to build Change UK.”