Three Tory MPs Resign to Join Ex-Labour MPs in Independent Group

Three Conservative MPs have left their party to join the newly formed Independent Group. Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen defected from the Tories over Theresa May's handling of the Brexit crisis and have joined 8 former Labour MPs also quit their party amidst their wish to remain in the EU and support a second referendum in addition to Jeremy Corbyn's tolerance of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.


With 11 MPs in the Independent Group, they are already as large as the Liberal Democrats and have one more seat than the DUP, the party based in Northern Ireland which is propping up May's Tory government. The question now is whether more Tory MPs will follow their lead. As it stands, May's majority in the House is only eight seats.


Should there be a sufficient number of Tory defections to the Independent Group would they force a vote of non confidence in an effort to force early elections? Or would they bide their time? Britons aren't scheduled to go to the polls until May 2022. This will be tricky. While it is clear the Independent Group would campaign on a second referendum what would they call themselves? I cannot see them sticking with the Independent name. The Independent Group might wish to remain in the EU and might stand against anti-Semitism, but what else do they have in common? Would the party have a raison d'être beyond a second referendum assuming they get one? I suppose there is little distinction between New Labour and Tory modernizers and one could argue it is why we have both the UKIP and the rise of Corbyn. But neither is healthy for the stability of Britain. And with both the Labour and Tories in turmoil, perhaps the best resolution is for rational Labour and Tory MPs to join forces. The question is if there will be enough of them.