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'''Change UK – The Independent Group''' (TIG) is a [[Centrism|centrist]], [[Pro-Europeanism|pro-European Union]] political party in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2019, it is led by [[Heidi Allen]]. It has 11 [[Members of Parliament]] (MPs) in the [[House of Commons]] and one [[Member of the European Parliament]] (MEP). Several [[local government in England|local councillors]] express support for the group although it has no official presence at local government.
'''Change UK – The Independent Group''' (TIG) is a [[Centrism|centrist]], [[Pro-Europeanism|pro-European Union]] political party in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2019, it is led by [[Heidi Allen]]. It has 11 [[Members of Parliament]] (MPs) in the [[House of Commons]] and one [[Member of the European Parliament]] (MEP). Several [[local government in England|local councillors]] express support for the group although it has no official presence at local government.


In February 2019, seven MPs resigned from the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] to sit as '''The Independent Group''' (TIG). They were dissatisfied by Labour's push leftward under [[Jeremy Corbyn]]'s leadership, its approach to [[Brexit]], and its handling of [[Antisemitism in the UK Labour Party|antisemitism within the party]]. They were soon joined by four more MPs, including three from the governing [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] who disliked their party's approach to Brexit and its perceived move rightward. In April it registered as a political party so as to compete in the [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|May 2019 European Parliament elections]].
In February 2019, seven MPs resigned from the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] to sit as '''The Independent Group''' (TIG). They were dissatisfied by Labour's push leftward under [[Jeremy Corbyn]]'s leadership,and its approach to [[Brexitـ]]. They were soon joined by four more MPs, including three from the governing [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] who disliked their party's approach to Brexit and its perceived move rightward. In April it registered as a political party so as to compete in the [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|May 2019 European Parliament elections]].


The party has been characterised by political scientists as a centrist group. A pro-Europeanist party, it calls for a [[Proposed referendum on the Brexit withdrawal agreement|second referendum on European Union membership]], in which it would campaign to remain. On economic issues it has expressed a commitment to the [[social market economy]]. Although ideologically close to the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], it has ruled out a merger with that party.
The party has been characterised by political scientists as a centrist group. A pro-Europeanist party, it calls for a [[Proposed referendum on the Brexit withdrawal agreement|second referendum on European Union membership]], in which it would campaign to remain. On economic issues it has expressed a commitment to the [[social market economy]]. Although ideologically close to the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], it has ruled out a merger with that party.

Revision as of 13:36, 19 May 2019

Change UKThe Independent Group
LeaderHeidi Allen (interim)
SpokespersonChuka Umunna
ConvenerGavin Shuker
Founders
Founded18 February 2019; 5 years ago (2019-02-18)
Registered15 April 2019; 5 years ago (2019-04-15)[1]
Split fromLabour Party
Conservative Party
Headquarters521 Terminal House
52 Grosvenor Gardens
London
SW1W 0AU[1]
IdeologyPro-Europeanism[2]
Political positionCentre
European Parliament groupEuropean People's Party[a]
Colours  Black   White[3]
SloganPolitics is broken. Let’s change it.
House of Commons
11 / 650
House of Lords
0 / 781
European Parliament (UK seats)
1 / 73
Website
voteforchange.uk

Change UK – The Independent Group (TIG) is a centrist, pro-European Union political party in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2019, it is led by Heidi Allen. It has 11 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons and one Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Several local councillors express support for the group although it has no official presence at local government.

In February 2019, seven MPs resigned from the Labour Party to sit as The Independent Group (TIG). They were dissatisfied by Labour's push leftward under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership,and its approach to Brexitـ. They were soon joined by four more MPs, including three from the governing Conservative Party who disliked their party's approach to Brexit and its perceived move rightward. In April it registered as a political party so as to compete in the May 2019 European Parliament elections.

The party has been characterised by political scientists as a centrist group. A pro-Europeanist party, it calls for a second referendum on European Union membership, in which it would campaign to remain. On economic issues it has expressed a commitment to the social market economy. Although ideologically close to the Liberal Democrats, it has ruled out a merger with that party.

History

Formation

Original logo for The Independent Group

The group was founded by MPs Luciana Berger, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith and Chuka Umunna, who simultaneously announced their resignations from the Labour Party on 18 February 2019. Comparisons were made in the media to the Gang of Four who split from the Labour Party to found the Social Democratic Party in 1981.[4][5][6] Four of the seven founding members – Berger, Gapes, Shuker and Leslie – were Labour and Co-operative Party MPs: they left both parties.[7] Announcing the resignations, Berger described Labour as having become "institutionally antisemitic", while Leslie said Labour had been "hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left" and Gapes said he was "furious that the Labour leadership is complicit in facilitating Brexit".[8][9]

Berger, Shuker, Smith and Leslie, as well as Joan Ryan who joined the following day, had recently lost votes of no-confidence brought by their constituency parties.[10][11]

Umunna rejected the notion of any merger with the Liberal Democrats.[8]

Beginnings

On the day of the group's launch, founding member Angela Smith appeared on the BBC's Politics Live programme, where she said, in a discussion about racism, that: "The recent history of the party I've just left suggested it's not just about being black or a funny tin... you know, a different... from the BAME community". The offending phrase was partially uttered, but was widely reported to be "funny tinge".[12][13] Smith apologised shortly afterwards, saying, "I'm very upset that I misspoke so badly."[12][13][14] Commentators noted an irony, given that the group had been formed in response to perceived racism.[15][16]

On 19 February Joan Ryan announced her departure from the Labour Party, becoming the first MP to join after the group's formation.[17][18][19] On 20 February 2019, three Conservative MPs left their party to join the group: Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, and Anna Soubry, citing the handling of Brexit by the Prime Minister (including "red lines" which alienated most Remainers); the party's reliance on the European Research Group (a group supporting a no-deal Brexit) and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in passing Brexit-related legislation; what they saw as the takeover of the Conservative Party by "right wing, ... hard-line anti-EU" MPs; and lack of concern from the Conservative Party for the "most vulnerable in society", as reasons for their departure.[20][21] A few former Conservative and Labour parliamentarians have also publicly declared a switch of allegiance to the new group.[22]

Local government

In February 2019, Labour councillors in over ten councils also left the party and intend to align with The Independent Group.[23] Two former Labour councillors in Brighton and Hove Council left the party to form their own independent group on 25 February, aligning with the Parliamentary group.[24] There have been further resignations from the party by Labour councillors in Barnet, Bexley, Derby, Salford and Stafford,[25] and by one Conservative councillor in South Bucks.[26] It is unknown how many of these councillors support TIG, but many gave the same reasons as the Labour MPs who left the party: alleged antisemitism in Labour, Corbyn's leadership and Brexit.[25]

Registration as political party

Interim leader Heidi Allen

In March 2019, the group announced that it had applied to the Electoral Commission to register as a political party under the name "Change UK – The Independent Group", in order to be able to stand candidates if the UK participates in the May 2019 European elections.[27][28] Heidi Allen was appointed interim leader, pending an inaugural party conference planned for September 2019.[29]

Petitions website Change.org announced that it would challenge the branding, which it regarded as having "hijacked" its identity.[30]

File:TIG Change logo.png
Rejected emblem

The registration was confirmed by the Electoral Commission on 15 April 2019.[31] The party's proposed emblem, however, was rejected by the Commission, both for inclusion of the TIG acronym which they considered insufficiently well-known, and for use of a hashtag.[32][33]

On 15 April 2019, the centrist Renew Party, which had formed in 2017 but failed to win seats, announced that it would be closing its own operations in order to support The Independent Group in the European Elections. TIG welcomed the move, and said it would accept applications from Renew-approved candidates to become Independent Group candidates.[34]

European Parliament

On 16 April 2019, it was announced that MEPs Julie Girling and Richard Ashworth had joined Change UK.[33] Both MEPs had been elected for the Conservative Party, but were suspended from the Conservatives after supporting a motion in the European Parliament saying sufficient progress had not been made in Brexit negotiations to allow trade talks to start.[35] Both Ashworth and Girling are members of the centre-right European People's Party group in the European Parliament.

However, on 10 May, Girling, who decided not to stand in the 2019 European Elections, encouraged Remain supporters in the South West to vote for the Liberal Democrats, saying they were "clearly the lead Remain party in the South West".[36] Girling and Change UK later said that she had never been a member or one of their MEPs.[37]

The party announced on 23 April that it would stand a full slate of candidates in Great Britain for the European Parliament elections, including Ashworth, writer Rachel Johnson (sister of Conservative MPs Jo and Boris Johnson); former BBC journalist Gavin Esler;[38] former Conservative MPs Stephen Dorrell and Neil Carmichael; former Labour MEP Carole Tongue; former Labour MPs Roger Casale and Jon Owen Jones; former Liberal Democrat MEP Diana Wallis;[39] and the former deputy Prime Minister of Poland Jacek Rostowski.[40]

Within a day, controversial tweets, some of an alleged racist nature, by two candidates—including the top candidate for the Scottish constituency—were discovered, leading to their withdrawals.[41][42] The Muslim Council of Great Britain and anti-racism charity Tell MAMA condemned the selection of a third candidate, Nora Mulready, who they said had conflated Islam with terrorism and legitimised the far right;[43] this was dismissed by Mulready and by Change UK as a "smear campaign".[44] Prominent LGBT journalists have condemned the selection of Rostowski for his anti-gay marriage stance, although he is believed to have since recanted homophobic remarks made in 2011 and 2013 about same-sex relationships.[45]

On 15 May, David MacDonald, who had earlier replaced Joseph Russo as the party's lead candidate in Scotland following controversy over the latter's tweets, defected from the party and encouraged supporters to vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats.[46]

Reactions

Labour Party

On 19 February 2019, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responded that he was "disappointed" by the actions of the MPs leaving Labour.[8][47] Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said that the Independent Group MPs had a "responsibility" to resign and fight by-elections, as they had been elected as Labour MPs and should seek the approval of the electorate for their new platform.[8] Other Labour Party figures stressed reflection, with deputy leader Tom Watson imploring his party to change in order to stave off further defections.[48] Jon Lansman, the founder of Momentum, said he had "personal sympathy" for Berger because of the "hate and abuse" she had suffered. However, the six other former Labour MPs were, in his opinion, malcontents opposed to Corbyn's leadership.[8]

Labour MP Ruth George, who had been asked to respond to a Facebook comment suggesting the group's financial backers were "Israelis", replied that "Support from the State of Israel, which supports both Conservative and Labour ‘Friends of Israel’ of which Luciana was chair is possible and I would not condemn those who suggest it, especially when the group's financial backers are not being revealed". After Jewish groups said that she was indulging an antisemitic conspiracy theory, she apologised and withdrew her comment.[49][50][51]

On 25 February, the Labour Party announced that it would back moves for a second EU referendum in the coming weeks, a move interpreted as being, in part, in reaction to the threat of further defections to The Independent Group.[52][53]

On 19 March, MPs passed a motion put forward by Labour to remove Gapes, as well as non-TIG independent Ian Austin, from their seats on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee they held as part of the Labour Party's allocation. They were replaced by Labour MPs Conor McGinn and Catherine West. Gapes called the move "a sad day for the independence of Select Committees", while Labour said that it was right that the party filled its allocation of seats on the committees.[54]

Conservative Party

On 20 February 2019, Prime Minister and Conservative leader Theresa May stated that she was "saddened" by the departure of Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen.[20] Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron wrote in a statement on Twitter that he respected but disagreed with the three MPs' decision, as the party needs "strong voices at every level of the party calling for the modern, compassionate Conservatism that saw the Conservative Party return to office."[55]

Liberal Democrats

On 18 February 2019, before the breakaway, Liberal Democrats leader Vince Cable said that his party would "work with them in some form" but that his party would not be "subsumed" by them.[12][56] On 19 February, Cable later added that he has "offered a hand of friendship to the new Independent Group" and sees "the way forward as a collaborative arrangement, a confederation of groups who have a lot in common".[57] On 20 February Cable also suggested that the Liberal Democrats will not put up candidates against members of the Independent Group at future elections.[58] On 21 February former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said in a radio interview that it was "entirely possible" that the two groups could merge to form a new centrist political party.[59]

On 23 February, Cable contacted members of The Independent Group to seek support for his proposed parliamentary motion for a second Brexit referendum.[60] The Liberal Democrats signalled support for the amendment, along with the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru.[61]

In March 2019, it was reported by Business Insider that the Liberal Democrats and The Independent Group have held discussions about the possibility of forming an electoral alliance where joint candidates would stand under the same "umbrella".[62]

Cable proposed standing joint candidates with the Greens and Change UK on a common policy of seeking a second referendum on Brexit at the European Parliament elections, but both other parties rejected the idea.[63] On 24 April 2019, an unverified internal Change UK document memo leaked describing their plans to target Liberal Democrat donors and members in an attempt to supplant the Liberal Democrats. Part of the Change UK objectives specified in the memo were "No mergers, pacts or alliances."[64][65] On 26 April, Cable said that Change UK had thrown away opportunities at the 2019 European Parliament election had they pooled their strength, but that the LibDems and Change UK had agreed a "non-aggression pact" to discourage "friendly fire".[66]

Structure and aims

Convenor Gavin Shuker

The group was not launched as a registered political party with a leader, but rather a group of independent MPs with a convenor (Gavin Shuker)[67] and spokesperson (Chuka Umunna).[68] It was established without a formal policy platform. The group is expressly pro-European, supporting calls for a further referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union, and is considered to be centrist.[69][70]

The group's slogan is "Politics is broken. Let’s change it",[71] and it states that it aims to pursue evidence-led policies, rather than those led by ideology, with the group being tolerant of differing opinions. Specific stated values include social market economy, freedom of the press, environmentalism, devolution, subsidiarity,[72] and their opposition to Brexit.[73] All eleven MPs support a second referendum on the EU.[73] Though the group has not published a manifesto, it lists eleven "values", including that the government must do "whatever it takes" to protect national security, as Britain is "a great country of which people are rightly proud."[74] Shuker has stated that "[we] back well-regulated business but in return we expect them to provide decent, secure and well-paid jobs" and Leslie has stressed that the group is pro-NATO.[73] Moreover, the group has stated it supports a "diverse, mixed social market economy".[75]

Spokesperson Chuka Umunna

On 14 March 2019, Sarah Wollaston's amendment calling for a second EU referendum was called by the Speaker of the House of Commons, the first TIG amendment to be called. This was the first time that parliament had the opportunity to directly vote on a second referendum.[76] However, after both the People's Vote and Best for Britain campaigns advised supporters not to vote for the amendment[77] and the Labour Party whipped its MPs to abstain, the amendment fell 85–334.[78]

Leslie has described the party as offering a home to those on the centre-left or in the "liberal" or "one nation" tradition.[79]

Funding

The group is supported in its aims by The Independent Group (TIG) Ltd (previously named Gemini A Ltd), a non-trading company started by Shuker and registered in England and Wales.[80][81] Berger stated that the seven founders funded the launch themselves.[82][83]

The group claimed that thousands of donors gave small amounts within days of the launch.[83] On 23 February 2019 David Garrard, previously a major donor to the Labour Party, was reported to have given financial support to the group; the amount as reported by The Sunday Telegraph was £1.5 million.[84][85] A "significant" donation to the group was later made by crossbencher Lord Myners, the former City Minister under Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown.[86]

The party is not entitled to the parliamentary financial assistance for opposition parties (Short Money) as this is not available to political parties established in the middle of a parliamentary term.[87]

Members of elected bodies

Members of Parliament

MPs in the group[88]
Name Constituency Former party First elected Joined Portfolios
Heidi Allen South Cambridgeshire style="background-color: Template:Conservative Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Conservative 7 May 2015 20 February 2019 (2019-02-20) Interim Leader
Spokesperson for Welfare and Pensions, Social Care, and Business
Chuka Umunna Streatham style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Labour 6 May 2010 18 February 2019 (2019-02-18) Spokesperson
Gavin Shuker Luton South style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Labour Co-op 6 May 2010 18 February 2019 (2019-02-18) Convenor
Luciana Berger Liverpool Wavertree style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px"| Labour Co-op 6 May 2010 18 February 2019 (2019-02-18) Spokesperson for Home Affairs, Health, Digital and Culture
Ann Coffey Stockport style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Labour 9 April 1992 18 February 2019 (2019-02-18) Spokesperson for Children and Education
Mike Gapes Ilford South style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Labour Co-op 9 April 1992 18 February 2019 (2019-02-18) Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Defence
Chris Leslie Nottingham East style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Labour Co-op 1 May 1997 18 February 2019 (2019-02-18) Spokesperson for Economics and Trade
Joan Ryan Enfield North style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Labour 1 May 1997 19 February 2019 (2019-02-19) Manager of Group Business
Spokesperson for International Development
Angela Smith Penistone and Stocksbridge style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Labour 5 May 2005 18 February 2019 (2019-02-18) Spokesperson for Transport, Local Government and Housing, Energy and Environment
Anna Soubry Broxtowe style="background-color: Template:Conservative Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Conservative 6 May 2010 20 February 2019 (2019-02-20) Spokesperson for Brexit and Justice
Sarah Wollaston Totnes style="background-color: Template:Conservative Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px"| Conservative 6 May 2010 20 February 2019 (2019-02-20) Responsible for new colleagues
Key:      Founding member

Members of the European Parliament

MEPs in the group[33]
Name Constituency Former party First elected Joined European Parliament group
Richard Ashworth South East England style="background-color: Template:Conservative Party (UK)/meta/color; padding: 2px" | Independent, previously Conservative 10 June 2004 16 April 2019 (2019-04-16) style="background-color: Template:European People's Party/meta/color; padding: 2px" | European People's Party

See also

Notes

  1. ^ With respect to the current affiliation of the MEP who has defected to the party

References

  1. ^ a b "Registration summary: Change UK – The Independent Group". Electoral Commission (United Kingdom). 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Chuka Umunna: This is why our new party will not be forming a 'pro-Remain alliance' for the European elections". The Independent. 22 April 2019.
  3. ^ Change UK – The Independent Group [@TheIndGroup] (23 April 2019). "Hi, black and white are our core colours. Everything else is a variation of our theme" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 April 2019 – via Twitter. black and white are our core colours.
  4. ^ Howse, Christopher (26 January 2006). "Can anyone explain? The Gang of Four". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  5. ^ Maidment, Jack (18 February 2019). "Labour backlash begins as 'Gang of Seven' MPs branded 'traitors' and told by John McDonnell to trigger by-elections". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  6. ^ Nandy, Lisa; Foster, Dawn; Moore, Suzanne; Harker, Joseph; Sodha, Sonia; Balls, Katy (18 February 2019). "Are the gang of seven right to split from Labour? Our panel responds". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  7. ^ Hadfield, Miles (18 February 2019). "Four Co-op Party MPs quit the Labour Party as part of breakaway group". Co-operative News. Co-operative Press. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Seven MPs leave Labour Party in protest at Jeremy Corbyn's leadership". BBC News. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  9. ^ Serhan, Yasmeen (20 February 2019). "About a Dozen Lawmakers Just Made Brexit More Complicated". The Atlantic. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  10. ^ Taylor, Rebecca (20 February 2019). "Who are the Tory and Labour MPs now sitting as independents?". Sky News. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
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  12. ^ a b c Perraudin, Frances; Rawlinson, Kevin (18 February 2019). "Labour split: seven MPs resign from the party – Politics live". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  13. ^ a b Simons, Ned (18 February 2019). "Labour Split MP Appears To Describe BAME People As Having A 'Funny Tinge'". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
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  22. ^ Helm, Toby; Savage, Michael (14 April 2019). "Tories hit by new defections and slump in opinion polls as party divide widens". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  23. ^ Pogrund, Gabriel; Shah, Oliver; Wheeler, Caroline (24 February 2019). "Councillors quit Labour 'intimidation' and prepare to join TIG". The Times. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  24. ^ Bastable, Bex (25 February 2019). "The Independent Group gains two councillors in Brighton and Hove". Brighton & Hove Independent. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  25. ^ a b Chakelian, Anoosh (27 February 2019). "'You're fake socialists!' The Independent Group goes local as councillors defect". New Statesman. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
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  29. ^ Schofield, Kevin (29 March 2019). "The Independent Group becomes 'Change UK' to stand in European elections". PoliticsHome. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  30. ^ Elgot, Jessica (29 March 2019). "Independent Group's plans to register as Change UK party angers petitions site". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  31. ^ Mason, Rowena (16 April 2019). "Change UK registers as political party ahead of European elections". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  32. ^ McCarthy, Sebastian (16 April 2019). "The Independent Group's logo for European parliament elections is rejected". City A.M. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  33. ^ a b c "Change UK party approved for European elections". BBC News. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  34. ^ Morris, James (15 April 2019). "Brexit news latest: Renew Party folds to 'help' Independent Group in European elections". Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  35. ^ "May's party suspends two EU lawmakers over Brexit vote". Reuters. 8 October 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  36. ^ Schofield, Kevin (10 May 2019). "Change UK MEP urges voters to back Lib Dems in European elections". PoliticsHome.
  37. ^ Kevin Schofield [@PolhomeEditor] (10 May 2019). "Change UK say she's never been a member or one of their MEPs, as she confirmed to Adam" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  38. ^ "Join the Remain alliance, urges Change UK at Euro election launch". BBC News. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  39. ^ "Brexit: No 10 accuses Labour of dragging its feet in talks on withdrawal agreement compromise – live news". The Guardian. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  40. ^ Shah, Shakhil (23 April 2019). "Former Polish deputy PM to stand for European parliament for Change UK". Emerging Europe. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  41. ^ The Independent Group [@TheIndGroup] (23 April 2019). "Hi Jon – following discussions, Ali Sadjady has reflected on his inappropriate tweet from 2017 and agreed to stand down from the list of potential candidates" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 April 2019 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Stone, Jon (24 April 2019). "Change UK: Second candidate resigns in 24 hours, after 'crazy black wh***' remarks emerge". The Independent. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  43. ^ Stone, Jon (24 April 2019). "Change UK candidate in Islamophobia row after Muslim terrorist and Tommy Robinson comments emerge". The Independent. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  44. ^ Stone, Jon (25 April 2019). "Change UK says criticism by Muslim community groups is 'smear campaign'". The Independent. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  45. ^ S.A, Telewizja Polska. "Former Polish FinMin called out in UK over 'homophobia' comments". polandin.com. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  46. ^ Buchan, Lizzy (15 May 2019). "Change UK: European election candidate David Macdonald quits to support Liberal Democrats". The Independent. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  47. ^ Watts, Joe; Buchan, Lizzie (18 February 2019). "Labour MPs quit party in disgust at antisemitism, Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and Brexit stance". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ Perraudin, Frances; O'Carroll, Lisa; Carrell, Severin (18 February 2019). "Tom Watson says Labour must change to avoid more MPs leaving – Politics live". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  49. ^ Sugarman, Daniel (19 February 2019). "MPs may be 'financially backed' by Israel". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  50. ^ Heffer, Greg (19 February 2019). "Ruth George MP sorry for 'conspiracy theory' that Labour quitters are backed by Israel". Sky News. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  51. ^ Mason, Rowena (19 February 2019). "Labour MP apologises for suggesting Israel funds Independent Group". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  52. ^ Yorke, Harry; Mikhailova, Anna; Swinford, Steven; Hope, Christopher; Foster, Peter (25 February 2019). "Brexit latest news: Jeremy Corbyn backs second referendum to prevent 'a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on country'". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  53. ^ Elgot, Jessica (25 February 2019). "Labour to back moves for second Brexit referendum". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
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  55. ^ Simons, Ned (20 February 2019). "The Independent Group Defections: David Cameron Warns Tories To Stay 'Modern' And 'Compassionate'". HuffPost UK. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  56. ^ Cowburn, Ashley (3 February 2019). "Vince Cable vows to 'work with' rebel MPs as he claims 'real chance' of Labour breakaway". The Independent. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  57. ^ Cable, Vince (19 February 2019). "Cynics may decry the Independent Group, but here's why party splits are a blessing for British politics". The Independent. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  58. ^ "MPs debate anti-Semitism". BBC News. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  59. ^ King, Samantha (21 February 2019). "Tim Farron: Forming centrist party with Independent Group 'entirely possible'". Talkradio. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
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