Chuka Umunna may even be considering a mayoral bid, said Prof. Travers (Image: GETTY)
And Professor Tony Travers has predicted former Labour MP Chuka Ummuna, spokesman for the group, may even be planning to challenge against his former party’s incumbent London Mayor Sadiq Khan next year. Mr Umunna, along with 10 other Remain-backing MPs including Tory Anna Soubry, quit his party on February 18. The eight Labour MPs and three Tories all cited their dissatisfaction with their respective parties’ Brexit policy.
The Independent Group will take more votes from Labour
Professor Tony Travers
TIG is now exploring the possibility of becoming a fully fledged political party.
Mr Travers, director of LSE London, said: “Those in the core of the Labour leadership, such as John McDonnell, who want to win the next election rather than staying in permanent opposition, will realise that this looks very bad.
“They will see it as a wake-up call, with the Conservative Party likely to win the next election as it stands.
“The Independent Group will take more votes from Labour.”
The rise of TIG is bad news for Labour, Prof. Travers suggested (Image: GETTY)
In addition, another concern raised by MPs who have defected from Labour was over anti-Semitism, with Mr Travers saying until the matter was dealt with effectively, the party remained vulnerable electorally.
By contrast, Mr Travers said the Tories were probably “quietly rejoicing” after
