Change UK launched as the Independent Group in February, but they had to change their name because the word independent is not allowed Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty ImagesMore than half of Change UK’s MPs have quit the party less than four months after it was founded. Anna Soubry will lead a continuity group of five MPs but the other six have decided to once again be an alliance of independents in the Commons. The six departures are Heidi Allen, who was Change UK’s leader, her fellow former Conservative Sarah Wollaston and the former Labour MPs Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker and Angela Smith. They leave behind the former Tory cabinet minister Ms Soubry and the former Labour MPs Chris Leslie, Joan Ryan, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey. Chuka Umunna is among the MPs leaving to form an alliance of independents in the Commons GEOFF CADDICK/GETTY IMAGESIn a joint statement the six quitting the party said it was their priority now to “provide collegiate leadership to bring people together in…

Source: The Times June 04, 2019 16:07 UTC