The meeting for “potential supporters” of the new pro-European centrist party was led by Tony Blair’s former chief of staff Jonathan Powell and Philip Collins, who was the ex-prime minister’s speech writer. Ms Riley and Ms Rowling were said to be among 50 attendees at the reception which was held at the London offices of the author’s agent Neil Blair. Mr Powell and Mr Collins told guests they aim to launch the Blairite movement - which has not yet been named - after Brexit, claiming the party could win up to 100 seats.
An invitation to the evening insisted Britain “desperately needs” a new party.
It read: “We are hosting a drinks reception at 7pm on Tuesday 5th February for potential supporters of a new political movement that Britain desperately needs. This is an initiative led by Jonathan Powell and Philip Collins.
“Britain is stuck. The promise that the next generation will be better off than their parents is broken. Inequality is tearing the country apart.
“Housing is too expensive, earnings are static and the quality of work is too poor for too many.
Rachel Riley and JK Rowling reportedly attended a meeting to launch a breakaway Labour party (Image: GETTY)
“The world is changing
