Nottingham MP faces calls to resign after Labour split

Chris Leslie

The Nottingham East Labour Party has called on Chris Leslie MP to resign after he was revealed as one of seven MPs to split from Labour Party in the biggest defection since the ‘Gang of Four’ left in 1981.

Ann Coffey, Chris Leslie, Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker, Mike Gapes, Angela Smith have formed The Independent Group.

Speaking at the launch of the new grouping, which will sit in Parliament an independent group, Chris Leslie, MP for Nottingham East, said: “British politics is well and truly broken. I can no longer knock on doors for a party led by Jeremy Corbyn or those around him or support the machine politics of the hard left. There has been a betrayal on Brexit and we think it is irresponsible to let this person be Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.”

In a statement to constituents, the Nottingham East Labour Party said: “Residents of Nottingham East voted in great numbers to be represented by Labour MP and we expect Chris to respect that and resign. We look forward to contesting the seat in a by-election with a Labour candidate who is actually committed to our city and residents.

“For sometime, we’ve been expressing our concerns about Chris Leslie’s work in the constituency and the level of support he has offered for local people. Many members have signed an open letter, asking for him to reflect upon his commitment to the constituency, given the lack of surgeries and engagement with local people and issues.”

A statement on The Independent Group’s website outlines its position as “putting the best interests of our constituents and our country first.”

It adds: “Like so many others, we believe that none of today’s political parties are fit to provide the leadership and direction needed by our country.

“Our aim is to pursue policies that are evidence-based, not led by ideology, taking a long-term perspective to the challenges of the 21st century in the national interest, rather than locked in the old politics of the 20th century in the party’s interests.

“As an Independent Group we aim to recognise the value of healthy debate, show tolerance towards different opinions and seek to reach across outdated divides and build consensus to tackle Britain’s problems.”

Who are The Independent Group?

Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2010 who has been subject to anti-semitic abuse. She recently faced a no-confidence motion from her local party, before it was withdrawn under pressure from the national party

Ann Coffey, MP for Stockport since 1992

Mike Gapes, MP for Ilford South since 1992

Chris Leslie, MP for Nottingham East since 2010, having previously been MP for the West Yorkshire constituency of Shipley between 1997 and 2005

Gavin Shuker, MP for Luton South since 2010 and the sole company director behind The Independent Group

Angela Smith has been a Sheffield MP since 2005, first for Sheffield Hillsborough then for Penistone and Stocksbridge

Chuka Umunna, MP for Streatham and one-time frontrunner to succeed Ed Miliband as Labour leader. However he withdrew from the 2015 leadership contest after just three days, which was subsequently won by Jeremy Corbyn.

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