Chuka Umunna urges MPs from across the political divide to join Labour splitters

Chuka Umunna has urged MPs from across the Commons to split with their parties and join the new movement he launched today with fellow ex-Labour figures.

Seven Labour MPs quit the party over the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn today to form the Independent Group, claiming Labour had become “institutionally antisemitic” and "betrayed" supporters over Brexit.

Then former shadow business secretary Umunna invited people from Labour as well as from “other political traditions” to join the seven centrist MPs.

Umunna is joined by MPs Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes and Anne Coffey.

He said: “It is time we dumped this country's old fashioned politics and created an alternative which does justice to who we are today, and gives this country and politics fit for the here and now. For the 21st century, not the last one.

“So we have taken the first step in leaving the old tribal politics behind and we invite others who share our political values to do so too.

“You might come from a Labour background, but you might come from other political traditions, and yes it’s a difficult decision, make no mistake about that.”

Without naming any names, Mr Umunna said: “Think about it, you don’t join a political party to spend years and years fighting the people within it.

“You get involved in politics, you join a party to join the world, so we invite you to join your parties and help us forge a new consensus on a way forward for Britain.”

A source from the group added that MPs from all parties would have to ask themselves “are you really happy with the offer that you have got right now to the British public”.

Another added: "Any politician in parliament right now who can look at our values and say ‘yes I completely agree with that' and is disenchanted with their current political home... we would invite them to come and join our group."

It emerged today that five pro-EU Tory MPs are facing no-confidence motions from their local associations, which want them to be more supportive of the Government approach to Brexit.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "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 and saw us increase our vote by the largest share since 1945.

"Labour won people over on a programme for the many not the few – redistributing wealth and power, taking vital resources into public ownership, investing in every region and nation, and tackling climate change."

He added: "The Conservative Government is bungling Brexit, while Labour has set out a unifying and credible alternative plan. When millions are facing the misery of Universal Credit, rising crime, homelessness and poverty, now more than ever is the time to bring people together to build a better future for us all."