Seven British lawmakers quit the main opposition Labour Party on Monday over its approach to issues including Brexit and anti-Semitism — the biggest shakeup in years for one of Britain's major political parties. Many Labour lawmakers are unhappy with the party's direction under leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran socialist who took charge in 2015 with strong grassroots backing. The seven MPs leaving the Labour Party on Monday are, from left: Ann Coffey, Angela Smith, Chris Leslie, Mike Gapes, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker and Chuka Umunna. The seven lawmakers said they will continue to sit in Parliament as the newly formed Independent Group. The Labour lawmakers who quit in 1981 eventually became today's Liberal Democrats, a centrist party that has failed to topple the dominance of the two bigger parties.

Source: CBC News February 18, 2019 12:00 UTC