LONDON — Seven British lawmakers quit the main opposition Labour Party on Monday over its approach to issues including Brexit and anti-Semitism — the biggest shake-up in years for one of Britain’s major political parties. Many Labour lawmakers have been unhappy with the party’s direction under leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran socialist who took charge in 2015 with strong grass-roots backing. But this is the biggest split in the Labour party since four senior members quit in 1981 to form the Social Democratic Party. The seven members of Parliament leaving Labour said they will continue to sit in the House of Commons as the newly formed Independent Group. The new group of seven stopped short of forming a new political party, but the seeds have been sown.

Source: National Post February 18, 2019 10:25 UTC