Woolaston, Allen and Soubry as predicted.
Worringly for the Tories Philip Lee MP presented the PM with a letter suggesting there would be many more, unless she engaged more with those like him deeply unhappy with her strategy.
TTT's and YMB's posts are exactly the sort of reaction that will see even more centrist Tories leave in the coming days or weeks -- just as Corbyn and the left's dismissal of the eight ex-Labour MPs. Nothing to address their concerns. Of both Labour and the Tories split still further...
Find it difficult to see much in her letter that is correct. Looks like one from someone so obsessed by the economy that they'd let the nation's status and ability to control itself go to pot rather than accept temporary issues for the greater long time good. Clearly this exiting as agreed from the EU is no lurch to the right as otherwise there would be no support from the other side of the House. Seems to be simply excuses to dissent.
well jim the Labour ones seem to be leaving primarily because of antisemitism in the party. The Tory ones seem to be leaving because they want to try and thwart brexit.
It's arrogant and destructive for MPs to ignore the people's vote from a couple of years back. Those that wish to do so make the nation better off by consigning themselves to the political wilderness.
Perhaps this is what is needed. A party that is outwardly and unequivocally pro remain. That way the other two parties can position themselves elsewhere. One of them needs to be unequivocally leave and the other perhaps somewhere in between.
People will have a real choice that way.
But thh I’ve never like Soubry as her sneering and animosity to leave and her own constituents is not a pretty sight. She claimed Brexiteers weren’t her sort of conservatives or even true conservatives but she’s just proved that it is she who isn’t a real conservative.
The Independent Group will need more members and will have to become a proper party before there's a real choice facing the electorate -- but yes, it could be very useful even if you don't like their politics to see a breakaway party form.
A snap poll by Sky suggested that at the moment the group has "only" about 10% support amongst the electorate -- but maybe that will grow in future, and continue to sap disgruntled Tory/Labour voters.
the problem is that if a pro remain/brexit parties do emerge then they do offer a choice for a future election but on one issue only. Said parties would be split on everything else. Can you imagine all the Labour Tory remainers/leavers in respective parties? Total disaster. Once we are out the issue will be gone and the traditional Labour/Tory dichotomy can resume.