
As Tory defectors to the new Independent Group claimed there were a 'significant' number of MPs from all parties on the brink of quitting, Westminster was abuzz this evening discussing who could be next to jump ship.

Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen quit the Tory Party today in an explosive new development for the group that was launched on Monday by a 'gang of seven' ex-Labour MPs.

Seemingly casting the net across all parties in the Commons, the self-styled Tory 'Three Amigos' claimed there were a significant number of MPs close to joining the breakaway group, provoking a fury of debate in the Commons of who could be next, with Labour's Owen Smith and Tory Justine Greening among those touted.

Conservative MP for Aberconwy, Guto Bebb, quit as a defence minister blaming Theresa May's concessions to Brexiteers and has called for a second referendum. He refused to respond when asked if a move was on the cards.

Brecknell MP Phillip Lee quit as a justice minister over Brexit and said he could 'understand' if colleagues joined the Independent Group.

He is the only member of the second referendum delegation that met Gavin Barwell and David Lidington last month who has not joined the Independents. He said yesterday: 'I'm certainly not leaving the Conservative party but I could understand if others did.'

Nick Boles, MP for Grantham and Stamford, admitted he agrees with the breakaway group's message suggesting he could be the next Tory to make the move but did add that he was 'not ready to give up on the Conservative's yet'.

As Tory defectors to the new Independent Group claimed there were a 'significant' number of MPs in other parties on the brink of quitting, Westminster was abuzz this evening with who could be the next to jump ship

Who will quit next? The favourite defection candidates LABOUR On their way? From left McDonagh, Smith, Doughty, Ellman On their way? Top, from left: McDonagh, Smith, Doughty, Ellman. Bottom, from left: Phillips, Murray, Austin, Kyle Siobhain McDonagh. Has warned she could leave if Jeremy Corbyn fails to address concerns over Brexit and anti-Semitism. Yesterday said she did not want to quit the party after 43 years, but said: 'It's up to Jeremy and how he responds.' Owen Smith. The Labour leadership candidate has said he is 'considering' leaving over Brexit. He was sacked from the shadow cabinet after he called for a second referendum. Stephen Doughty. Has been a key supporter of a People's Vote alongside the breakaway MPs, but yesterday denied rumours he was on the brink of joining them. Dame Louise Ellman. Is facing the threat of deselection from her local constituency party. But the Jewish MP has so far insisted: 'I will continue to fight the virus of anti-Semitism in the Labour party from within.' Jess Phillips. Yesterday raised speculation she could go by saying: 'I was born Labour and I felt like I'd die Labour but, when I listen to my colleagues, I find it very hard to disagree with a lot of what they were saying.' Ian Murray. Scot has warned the current leadership was 'breaking the broad church that this party once built its electoral success upon', but yesterday said: 'I'm not going.' Ian Austin. Said he is 'thinking long and hard' over whether to defect. Opposes a second referendum. Peter Kyle. Staunch supporter of a second referendum has faced opposition from Corbyn supporters in his constituency. Tweeted: 'Just to be clear, I'm not about to quit.' TORIES Top from left: Bebb, Greening, Grieve, Johnson; middle from left: Lee, Boles, Letwin, Gyimah; bottom from left: Soames, Sandbach Guto Bebb. Quit as a defence minister blaming concessions to Brexiteers and has called for a second referendum. Did not respond when asked if he would defect. Justine Greening. Former education secretary supports a second referendum but remained silent yesterday. Dominic Grieve. Has put forward several amendments to thwart the PM's deal. Yesterday, the former attorney general said he had no 'current plans' to quit the party. Jo Johnson. Boris's brother quit as a transport minister over Brexit and wants a second referendum. Asked about rumours he could jump ship, he said: 'Don't believe anything.' Phillip Lee. Quit as a justice minister over Brexit. He said: 'I'm not leaving the Conservatives but could understand if others did.' Antoinette Sandbach. Said comments about a 'purple Momentum' were 'hard to dispute' but ruled out defecting. Oliver Letwin. Ex-minister has rebelled over Brexit. Asked if he was going to join the Independents, he replied: 'Definitely not!' Sam Gyimah. Quit as universities minister over Brexit. Retweeted the statement from the Tories that quit. When asked if he would join them, said: 'No way. Retweeting their message doesn't mean I'm going to follow suit.' Nicholas Soames. Ardent Remainer, he was silent on whether he would follow his grandfather Winston Churchill in defecting. Nick Boles. Ex-minister tweeted: 'I agree with so much of what my good friends say here but I am not ready to give up on Conservatives yet.' Advertisement

Sarah Wollaston, Anna Soubry and Heidi Allen held for a press conference (pictured from left) to explain their historic defection out of the Tories and into the new Independent Group today

The ex-Tory rebels emerged into a vast press pack after resigning from the Tory Party in protest at it being taken over by the right-wing Brexiteers in the ERG

The new political group has a majority of women - seven of the 11 MPs to have joined - in an almost unprecedented change of balance for a frontline force

Among Labour, Owen Smith, the former leadership candidate has said that he is 'considering' leaving over Brexit. He was sacked from Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet last year after he called for a second referendum.

Stephen Doughty, MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, has been a key supporter of a People's Vote alongside the breakaway MPs, but yesterday denied rumours he was on brink of quitting Labour and joining them,

Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North, has said he is 'thinking long and hard' over whether to join his former colleagues in the breakaway group and is expected to make his decision by the end of this week. However, a stumbling block could be his opposition to a second referendum.

Speaking in Brussels, the PM said: 'I'm saddened by the decision that three former members of my party have taken today.

'Of course, the question of the UK's relationship with the European Union has been a source of disagreement in my party, and also in the country, for a long time.

'Leaving the European Union after 40 years was never going to be easy.'

This morning, at a press conference in London, Ms Allen said she had been left 'feeling numb' by the state of the Conservative Party while Dr Wollaston said she had reached the conclusion she could neither stand again as a Conservative or ask people to vote Tory.

Ms Allen said a 'significant number' of other MPs in all parties were 'on the brink' of following the first 11 MPs to abandon their parties and join the new group.

The plea comes a day after Chuka Umunna, the ringleader of the ex-Labour MPs who quit on Monday, said the group would be a full-blown political party within months.

In a move designed to cause the maximum damage, the trio made their leap less than an hour before Mrs May faced MPs in the bruising weekly session of PMQs - and on the same day she has to convince Brussels she can pass a Brexit deal.

Vowing to stand in the 'centre ground' in a damning letter to Mrs May the group said they could not remain in the Tories while it was 'in the grip of the ERG and DUP'. They said Brexit has 'redefined the Conservative Party - undoing all efforts to modernise it' - and warning that the 'country deserves better' from its politics.

In an immediate response, Mrs May said she was 'saddened' by the decision and thanked the MPs for their 'dedicated service to our party over many years'.

The PM vowed the Tories would 'always offer the decent, moderate and patriotic politics' Britain deserved. She said delivering Brexit was 'never going to be easy' but insisted she was 'doing the right thing for our country'.

The move puts rocket boosters under the new political movement that was launched by a 'gang of seven' ex-Labour MPs on Monday. It is the biggest split in British politics since 1981 and could set in motion a total realignment of the party system.

Eight ex-Labour MPs watched on at One Great George Street as their new ex-Tory colleagues addressed the press. They are (from left) Ann Coffey, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Chuka Umunna, Gavin Shuker, Joan Ryan and Angela Smith

The new Independent Group of MPs walked arm in arm from Parliament to the press conference held by the ex-Tory MPs today

Heidi Allen (centre in black), Anna Soubry (shakling hands in blue) and Sarah Wollaston (right in the blue scarf) greeted their new colleagues as they took their seats in the House of Commons against Theresa May at PMQs

Mrs May (pictured today at PMQs) said she was 'saddened' by the MPs' decision and vowed the Tories would 'always offer the decent, moderate and patriotic politics' Britain deserved

In a damning letter to Mrs May, the group said they could not remain in the Tories while it was 'in the grip of the ERG and DUP' - adding Brexit has 'redefined the Conservative Party - undoing all efforts to modernise it'

Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Ann Coffey and Mike Gapes left Labour in rage at Mr Corbyn's leadership as they triggered the new movement on Monday (pictured)

A sensational poll by YouGov puts the new independent group in third place on 14 per cent - appearing to pull support from both Tory and Labour

On another historic day in Westminster:

Three Conservative MPs resigned from the party and joined the new Independent Group. Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen said their party had been taken by right-wing Brexiteers

The MPs blasted Theresa May for her 'dismal failure' to stand up to the Eurosceptic wing of the party, protesting despite their abuse the ERG were who she turned to after her deal was destroyed

They join eight ex-Labour MPs who quit their party in fury at Jeremy Corbyn, claiming he tolerated anti-Semitism, allowed bullying and was a national security threat

In response Theresa May said she saddened by the decision and thanked the MPs for their 'dedicated service' to the party 'over many years'.

But she defended her decision to deliver Brexit - insisting it was the 'right thing for our country' even though it was 'never going to be easy for the Tory Party

A snap poll suggested the Independent Group is already the third most popular political force in Britain with support from 14 per cent of voters - pulling support from all the main parties

But Labour sources have dismissed it as an 'establishment coalition' of politicians who backed austerity, corporate tax cuts and privatisation.

Will the defections change the Brexit vote? Losing three MPs weakens Mrs May's already feeble hold on the Commons and leave her even more dependent on her DUP allies to command a majority of MPs. Her working majority - with the DUP - is now just eight meaning a rebellion of five MPs can defeat her. She lost the Brexit deal by 230. In practice it will make little difference on the biggest Brexit votes. All 11 defectors from both sides of the aisle are pro-EU and frequent rebels. They could eventually back the deal as an alternative to no deal but are unlikely to be the difference between victory and defeat for the PM. Losing three more Tories will make day-to-day governing much harder for Mrs May as the margin for defeat is so low - which some will see as a reason for an early election. Advertisement

Other MPs could quickly follow now the Independent Group is cross-party.

Former Tory minister Philip Lee admitted today he had been asked to do so while, while ex-attorney general Dominic Grieve said he only had no 'current' plans to switch.

Losing three MPs weakens Mrs May's already feeble hold on the Commons and leave her even more dependent on her DUP allies to command a majority of MPs.

Even with the Northern Ireland party, she now has a majority of just eight - meaning rebellion of five MPs can defeat her.

Last night Joan Ryan became the 8th MP to quit Labour and join the group, warning under Jeremy Corbyn the party has become 'institutionally anti-Semitic'.

Chuka Umunna and Luciana Berger led the historic move on Monday when the 'gang of seven' broke away.

Mr Corbyn has been warned he could face up to 50 new defections from his party if he fails to address the concerns of MPs.

Siobhain McDonagh, a close of friend of Ms Ryan, admitted today she was considering her future over the Labour leader's 'Stalinist' response to this week's events.

At their press conference, Ms Soubry said: 'I'm hoping that this will really concentrate some minds of colleagues in the Conservative Party that we know share our concerns and also share our values and our principles and are very unhappy about the direction of travel.

'I also hope it gives courage to members of the Government who are deeply concerned about this no-deal becoming a real possibility.

What is the Independent Group and can you vote for it? What happened this week? Seven MPs resigned from the Labour Party on Monday and set up something called the Independent Group. They were joined by an eigth Labour MP last night. Today three Tory MPs have also left their party - warning the Conservatives have been gripped by a right wing, pro Brexit insurgency. Who is in the group? Ex-Labour MPs Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Mike Gapes, Ann Coffey, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker and Joan Ryan. Ex-Tory MPs Sarah Wollaston, Anna Soubry and Heidi Allen. Is it a political party? No. It is a small business - technically a limited company - called Gemini A Ltd that was set up Gavin Shuker, one of the MPs, in January. Can I vote for it? No. Unless and until it registers with the Electoral Commission, it cannot stand candidates. Can I donate to it? Yes. The group is accepting donations through its website theindependent.group. It says donations will support the newly independent MPs. What does it want? All the MPs are Remain supporters and most of them have promoted a second referendum to cancel Brexit. They say they want evidence-based policy making to tackle the challenges facing Britain - without being inside the current political parties. Advertisement

'And it will give them the courage next week to do what, frankly, some of them should have done a long time ago and be true to what they believe, and if they need to leave Government and vote against the party line on Brexit, they have got to do it.'

Dr Wollaston added: 'I am afraid the Prime Minister simply hasn't delivered on the pledge she made on the steps of Downing Street to tackle the burning injustices in our society.

'I think that what we now see is the party, that was once the most trusted on the economy and business, is now marching us to the cliff-edge of a no-deal Brexit.'

In their letter to the Prime Minister, the trio of ex-Tories said: 'We no longer feel we can remain in the Party of a Government whose policies and priorities are so firmly in the grip of the ERG and DUP.

'Brexit has re-defined the Conservative Party – undoing all the efforts to modernise it.

'There has been a dismal failure to stand up to the hard line ERG which operates openly as a party within a party, with its own leader, whip and policy.'

They added: 'The final straw for us has been this Government's disastrous handling of Brexit.

'Following the EU referendum of 2016, no genuine effort was made to build a cross party, let alone a national consensus to deliver Brexit.

'Instead of seeking to heal the divisions or to tackle the underlying causes of Brexit, the priority was to draw up 'red lines'. The 48% were not only sidelined, they were alienated.'

In response, Mrs May said: 'I am saddened by this decision – these are people who have given dedicated service to our party over many years, and I thank them for it.

'Of course, the UK's membership of the EU has been a source of disagreement both in our party and our country for a long time.

'Ending that membership after four decades was never going to be easy.

'But by delivering on our manifesto commitment and implementing the decision of the British people we are doing the right thing for our country.

'And in doing so, we can move forward together towards a brighter future.'

The first seven Independent Group MPs were in the Commons today (marked in red). They have chosen to sit behind the SNP (marked in yellow) and next to the DUP (in blue)

'I am determined that under my leadership the Conservative Party will always offer the decent, moderate and patriotic politics that the people of this country deserve.'

Pro-Brexit Tory MP Michael Fabricant described The Independent Group of as 'an anti-Brexit party' and called on the Government to 'deliver the result of the EU Referendum'.

Snap poll puts new Independent Group on 14% - ahead of the Lib Dems A snap poll has suggested the new Independent Group would be backed by 14 per cent of voters just three days after it launched. The extraordinary figures in a YouGov poll for The Times suggest the centrist party is in third place. Crucially, it appears to be pulling support from both the Tories, who score 38 per cent, and particularly Labour, who plunge to 26 per cent. The last regular YouGov poll had the Tories on 41 per cent and Labour on 33 per cent. Advertisement

He tweeted: 'TIG are an anti-Brexit Party. Labour MPs have joined citing anti-Semitism and Corbyn as the reason.

'The 3 Conservative MPs are citing Brexit.

'Sad to see them go but the Government must deliver the result of EU Referendum.'

Former education secretary Nicky Morgan - who is also stridently anti-Brexit - said the Tories could ill afford to lose 'three such talented women from the Conservative Party'.

Stephen Crabb said the Tories 'cannot afford to lose someone like Anna Soubry. She has a far better grasp of true conservatism than many of those who have tried to make her life hell over Brexit'.

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire told Sky News: 'I am very saddened and disappointed that obviously this decision has been taken today.

'I pay tribute to my three former colleagues for all of their work over so many many years.

'I think the focus has to remain, as the Government is focused, on delivering Brexit.

Before their new ex-Tory colleagues arrived the first seven MPs (back two rows) to launch the Independent Group posed for a selfie on the Commons benches behind bemused SNP MPs

Ms Berger posted the selfie to her Instagram account ahead of PMQs and before the three ex-Tory MPs announced they were coming over to the group

'This was never going to be easy, seeking to negotiate an arrangement for us to leave after 40 years of membership was always going to underline some real challenges.

The final straw is Brexit: In their own words, why three Tory MPs have defected to the Independent Group This shift to the right has been exacerbated by blatant entryism. Not only has this been tolerated, it has been actively welcomed in some quarters. A purple momentum is subsuming the Conservative party, as much as the hard left has been allowed to consume and terminally undermine the Labour party. We have tried consistently and for some time to keep the Party close to the centre ground of British politics. You assured us when you first sought the leadership that this was your intention. We haven't changed, the Conservative Party has and it no longer reflects the values and beliefs we share with millions of people throughout the United Kingdom. They added: 'The final straw for us has been this Government's disastrous handling of Brexit.' Following the EU referendum of 2016, no genuine effort was made to build a cross-party, let alone a national consensus to deliver Brexit. Instead of seeking to heal the divisions or to tackle the underlying causes of Brexit, the priority was to draw up 'red lines'. The 48% were not only sidelined, they were alienated. We find it unconscionable that a Party once trusted on the economy, more than any other, is now recklessly marching the country to the cliff edge of no deal. No responsible government should knowingly and deliberately inflict the dire consequences of such a destructive exit on individuals,communities and businesses and put at risk the prospect of ending austerity. We also reject the false binary choice that you have presented to Parliament between a bad deal and no deal. Running down the clock to March 29th amounts to a policy of no deal and we are not prepared to wait until our toes are at the edge of the cliff. We can no longer act as bystanders. We intend to sit as independents alongside The Independent Group of MPs in the centre ground of British politics. There will be times when we will support the Government, for example, on measures to strengthen our economy , security and improve our public services. But we now feel honour bound to put our constituents' and country's interests first. We would like to thank all those who have supported us and worked alongside us within our constituencies over many years. We genuinely wish our many friends and colleagues in the Party well, indeed we know many of them share our concerns. We will continue to work constructively, locally and nationally, on behalf of our constituents. However, the country deserves better. We believe there is a failure of politics in general, not just in the Conservative Party, but in both main parties as they more to the fringed, leaving millions of people with no representation. Our politics needs urgent and radical reform and we are determined to play our part. Advertisement

'But it is right that we do move forward, that we secure that positive deal and can chart that bright positive force for our country but equally recognising the contribution of my three colleagues who have made a decision to leave today.

'I'm upset. I'm disappointed. The Conservative Party is a broad church and will remain so in offering that positive vision for our country and our future direction.'

Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson has offered her 'kudos to the brave MPs' from both Labour and Conservative parties who have resigned this week.

She tweeted: 'A purple momentum is now subsuming the Conservative party... marching the country to the cliff edge of no deal'

'Kudos to the brave MPs who have left the broken Conservative and Labour parties. Our country deserves better than this national shambles of a Government.'

Left-wing supporters of Jeremy Corbyn seized on the Tory defections to attack the Independent Group project.

Momentum's National Coordinator Laura Parker said: 'It's clear that the new party is a Blairite-Tory coalition aimed at resurrecting a dead agenda of privatisation, deregulation and tax cuts for the super rich.

'This is not what their constituents voted for. Umunna, Leslie and Smith's constituents overwhelmingly voted Labour and have ended up with an MP in coalition with the Tories.

'This is unfair, undemocratic and dishonest. The only decent thing to do is to call a by-election and let their constituents decide.'

Ms Soubry missed Commons votes on Monday after the group made its announcement fuelling speculation among Tory whips she could defect.

Ms Wollaston has protested the rise of ex-Ukip members in Tory ranks, warning they are joining with hard Brexiteer MPs to take over the party.

Ms Allen has been a fierce critic of the Government on several front, campaigning against it on welfare reform and slamming the Brexit strategy.

All three of the new ex-Tory MPs have campaign alongside members of the Independent Group for a second referendum on Brexit, and took part in Government meetings together after Theresa May's deal was defeated.

Veteran Conservative Ken Clarke said he believed some Tory MPs were considering joining the new Independent Group.

'Certainly some Members of Parliament are getting very fed up,' he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

'There are some, I think - not including me - who probably are contemplating leaving if the party moves too far to the right and no longer represents what they regard as the mainstream Conservative views they have held for all the previous years.

'I hope that doesn't happen. I hope it doesn't come to that.'

Mr Umunna yesterday directly appealed for Tory politicians to join the new movement, which he said could be a full-blown new party within months.

He told the Today programme the 'gang of seven' were putting 'everything on the line' - and said: 'We're inviting anybody who shares our values to join us.

'There are clearly a lot of Labour MPs wrestling with their conscience, and Conservatives who are demoralised for the Ukip-isation, if you like, of the party.'

Pro-Brexit Tory MP Michael Fabricant described The Independent Group of as 'an anti-Brexit party' and called on the Government to 'deliver the result of the EU Referendum'.

Former education secretary Nicky Morgan - who is also stridently anti-Brexit - said the Tories could ill afford to lose 'three such talented women from the Conservative Party'

Stephen Crabb said the Tories 'cannot afford to lose someone like Anna Soubry. She has a far better grasp of true conservatism than many of those who have tried to make her life hell over Brexit'

Galloway DENIES Luciana Berger suffered anti-Semitic abuse and says it's a Nazi-style lie George Galloway today denied Luciana Berger suffered the anti-Semitic abuse that drover her out of the Labour Party. The hard left ex-Labour MP - who has been banned from the party since 2003 - said Ms Berger's claims were a 'black op' that was fuelled by Nazi-style propaganda. In a Sky News interview, Mr Galloway said he simply 'didn't believe' Ms Berger's statement and said they were designed to discredit Jeremy Corbyn. He said: 'I think with the Blairites walking out the door hurling their slander at Corbyn and the Labour leadership it's really a black op that's going on here. 'I've been listening to [Sky News] and others all morning and this is pure Goebbellian propaganda – repeat a lie often enough and some people might believe it.' On Monday, Ms Berger opened a press conference to announce her resignation and said: 'I cannot remain in a party which I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic.' Advertisement

Mr Ummuna added: 'There are many other people who have misgivings about their parties.

'If we're to fix the broken politics, you can't do that within the existing parties who can't be the change because they've become the problem in my view.'

As she detailed the reasons for her own resignation today, Ms Ryan said the problems of anti-Semitism in Labour only began when Mr Corbyn became leader.

'We never had this problem in the party before he was the leader. It comes with him, it is part of his politics I am afraid,' she said.

'Labour should be the bulwark against that - against the hard right and their views. Instead of that, inside Labour it is perpetuating anti-Semitism.'

Ms Ryan said she was also unhappy with Mr Corbyn's position on Brexit.

'The other huge problem is that I think Jeremy Corbyn is aiding and abetting a hard Brexit,' she said.

She said there was a 'large number' of Labour MPs who were unhappy with the leadership and that she hoped like-minded members from any party would consider joining the new Independent Group.

'I hope that all like-minded MPs from whatever party will want to join this group.

'It is early days. It is about trying to change the political weather,' she said.

Joan Ryan, the MP for Enfield North, said she would be joining the newly founded Independent Group, alongside seven other disaffected Labour parliamentarians

Mr Umunna was one of seven Labour MPs to quit on Monday with an explosive attack on Mr Corbyn for letting anti-Semitism and a culture of bullying infect their party.

After the move Mr Corbyn's own deputy warned more MPs would abandon the party if Labour fails to deal with a culture of bullying and harassment.

Tom Watson said he believed the decision of seven MPs to resign and set up a new Independent Group was 'premature' but he refused to condemn them as 'traitors' as he admitted he also no longer recognised parts of Labour.

Labour's second in command said the hard-left takeover over of the party had left it with an army of activists 'too easily tempted into the language of heresy and treachery'.

Announcing their decision at yesterday's sensational press conference, Miss Berger said: 'This morning we have all now resigned from the Labour Party. This has been a very difficult, painful, but necessary decision.'

She added: 'For my part, I have become embarrassed and ashamed to remain in the Labour Party.

'I cannot remain in a party which I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic.'

Anna Soubry: 'I'm not leaving the Conservative Party, it has left us' Ms Soubry was a vocal and confrontational critic of Brexiteers in her former party and had been persistently linked with leaving. Conservative MP for Broxtowe in Nottinghamshire since 2010 and a former health and defence minister under David Cameron

The Lincoln-born 62-year-old mother-of-two previously worked as a television journalist and a barrister

She was state educated and was a trade union representative while working for Central Television

Broxtowe votes to Leave by 54.6% in the 2016 Brexit referendum Anna Soubry had been a vocal and at times visceral critic of Brexit who has faced well-publicised personal abuse. A persistent rebel while int he Conservative Party, on Wednesday she blasted hardline 'entryism' into the Conservative Party. She said: 'I'm not leaving the Conservative Party, it has left us.' The MP attacked Theresa May, saying that since she became leader the party had shifted to the right and 'the modernising reforms that had taken years to achieve were destroyed'. The result, the Nottinghamshire MP said, was 'tyranny' where MPs were more afraid of their local associations than their voters. Ms Soubry said: 'Overwhelmingly the majority of associations are being infiltrated by a nationally-orchestrated entryism, blatantly designed to remove rebel MPs who they label 'traitors'.' Hitting out at 'Blukip' or the 'purple momentum' phenomenon she added: 'It's a form of tyranny and it's ironic that Conservatives observe and condemn it in the Labour Party but it's happening in their own party.' The firebrand critic of the Brexiteer wing of her own party made headlines earlier this year when she was barracked and branded a 'Nazi' by protesters while being interviewed on television outside Parliament. Ms Soubry urged ministers to quit in order to vote against a no-deal Brexit, saying: 'I'm hoping that this will really concentrate some minds of colleagues in the Conservative Party that we know share our concerns and also share our values and our principles, and are very unhappy about the direction of travel. 'I also hope it gives courage to members of the government who are deeply concerned about this no deal becoming a real possibility. 'It will give them the courage next week to do what, frankly, some of them should have done a long time ago and be true to what they believe, and if they need to leave government and vote against the party line on Brexit, they have got to do it.' Advertisement

Sarah Wollaston: Tories now 'marching us to the cliff-edge of a no-deal Brexit' Dr Wollaston had previously warned that Government backing for a no-deal Brexit would see her quit the Conservative Party. MP for the Totnes constituency in south Devon since 2010

The 57-year-old was previously an NHS doctor for 24 years and a police forensic examiner

Had repeatedly attacked hardline Brexiteers and warned a no-deal Brexit would see her quit the party

Totnes voted Leave by 54.1% in 2016 Dr Wollaston said she felt 'great sadness' at quitting the Conservative Party today. She also tweeted a picture of the letter to Theresa May, adding that it is 'with regret' that she has resigned. 'I am afraid the Prime Minister simply hasn't delivered on the pledge she made on the steps of Downing Street to tackle the burning injustices in our society,' she said. 'I think that what we now see is the party, that was once the most trusted on the economy and business, is now marching us to the cliff-edge of a no-deal Brexit.' Dr Wollaston, who was long rumoured to be among Tories ready to jump ship, said that no one from the Prime Minister's office or the party whips had attempted to convince her to stay. Pro-Brexit Tories in Totnes had been making an attempt to have her deselected because of her pro-Remain stance. She said: 'I don't think any effort has ever been made to reach out to those of us who are in the moderate centre ground of the party.' Advertisement

Heidi Allen: A 'significant number' of MPs want to join us Heidi Allen, who has represented South Cambridgeshire since 2015, has often clashed with her party on Brexit and welfare issues Has been MP for South Cambridgeshire since 2015

The 44-year-old previously ran her own business and worked for the Royal Mail

Away from Brexit she had also criticised the Government over its record on welfare reform

South Cambridgeshire voted to Remain by 60% in the 2016 referendum Heidi Allen was a Conservative MP for less than four years, having been first elected at the May 2015 election. But the former business woman and entrepreneur had looked increasingly ill at ease in the party since the EU referendum the following year, in which she supported Remain. As well as Brexit battles she also criticised the Government over its record on welfare reform and sat on the influential and often highly critical Work and Pensions Committee. She told reporters on Wednesday that both had been a factor in her defection, saying:'I can no longer represent a government and a party who can't open their eyes to the suffering endured by the most vulnerable in society, suffering which we have deepened whilst having the power to fix.' Ms Allen said that she would not rejoin the Tories in the future and there was a 'significant number' of MPs from different parties who were now interested in coming over to join The Independent Group. She said the former Tory trio's resignations should come as a 'wake-up call' to the Prime Minister that she finally needed to take on and defeat the European Research Group (ERG) - the powerful and well-organised Brexiteer wing of the party. 'Her majority is now less than it was. She knows that the party is full of people that feel the way that we do, so she will have to finally, once and for all, see the ERG off,' she said. Advertisement

Joan Ryan: Labour under Corbyn is 'completely infected' by anti-Semitism Labour Friends of Israel said that despite quitting the Labour Party Enfield North MP Joan Ryan would continue as its chairwoman. Has been Enfield North MP in two spells, from 1997 to 2010 and since 2015

The Lancashire-born 63-year-old worked as a teacher in London before being elected

Has faced a barrage of left-wing attacks as parliamentary chairwoman of Labour Friends of Israel (LFI)

Has been a vocal and prominent critic of Jeremy Corbyn over anti-semitism within the Labour Party Joan Ryan was the eighth Labour MP to quit the party and join The Independent Group, taking a swipe at Jeremy Corbyn's handling of anti-semitism in the Labour Party. Ms Ryan was -and remains - the chairwoman of the Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) which seeks to promote good relations between the Middle East nation and Britain. After her resignation was announced Young Labour, the party's youth section tweeted 'Joan Ryan Gone - Palestine Lives' before swiftly deleting the post. The MP told BBC radio that the party had become 'infected' with anti-Semitism under Corbyn's leadership, saying that 'it has completely infected the party and at every opportunity to deal with it he has not done so'. She added: 'We never had this problem in the party before he was the leader. It comes with him, it is part of his politics I am afraid. 'Labour should be the bulwark against that - against the hard right and their views. Instead of that, inside Labour it is perpetuating anti-Semitism.' LFI said it respected her 'very difficult decision' to leave and that she would continue as chairwoman. Ms Ryan also accused Mr Corbyn of 'aiding and abetting a hard Brexit', adding: 'I hope that all like-minded MPs from whatever party will want to join this group. It is early days. It is about trying to change the political weather.' Advertisement

Luciana Berger: Dubbed a 'dirty little Zionist rat' by pro-Corbyn activists Heavily pregnant Luciana Berger, has been Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree' since 2010

Has been at the centre of the Labour party's anti-Semitism row and a vocal critic of Corbyn's leadership

Dubbed a 'dirty little Zionist rat' by pro-Corbyn activists, Luciana grew up in Wembley, in a close Jewish family

Her father runs a family home furnishing business, and until recently her mother worked in a palliative care unit

Liverpool Wavertree voted Remain by 64.7% in 2016. Ms Berger's stance on anti-Semitism has seen her face a torrent of abuse from online trolls and she required a police escort at last year's Labour Party conference after receiving death threats. Ms Berger, who is heavily pregnant and Jewish, recently faced a vote of no confidence by her local constituency party, which was eventually withdrawn after a heated row in the Labour ranks. During the press conference announcing the split, revealing she joined the Labour Party as a student 20 years ago, Ms Berger said she had become 'embarrassed and ashamed to remain'. Elected in 2010, during the last general election she secured a 29,466 majority, and has previously been shadow minister for public health and mental health, and currently sits on the Health and Social Care Committee. Ms Berger, a remainer, is a supporter of the People's Vote campaign for a second referendum on Brexit.

She said: 'This morning we have all now resigned from the Labour Party. This has been a very difficult, painful, but necessary decision. 'We represent different parts of the country, we are of different backgrounds, we were born of different generations, but we all share the same values. 'From today, we will all sit in Parliament as a new independent group of MPs.' Ms Berger said she had become 'embarrassed and ashamed to remain in the Labour Party'. 'I have not changed. The core values of equality for all, opportunity for all, anti-racism against all and social justice - the values which I hold really dear and which led me to join the Labour Party as a student almost 20 years ago - remain who I am. 'And yet these values have been consistently and constantly violated, undermined and attacked, as the Labour Party today declines to my constituents and our country before party interests. 'I cannot remain in a party which I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic.' Advertisement

Chuka Umunna: 'Politics is broken. It doesn't have to be this way' Chuka Umunna, the MP for Streatham since 2010. Umunna ran — briefly — for the Labour leadership in 2015. He withdrew citing a desire to protect his private life from scrutiny

Born in 1978 to a Nigerian father, who arrived in Liverpool in 1964 aged 23, according to Umunna's biog, 'with one suitcase and no money'; and an English-Irish mother, a probation officer and later lawyer who supported her family while Chuka's father built up his business.

His father, Bennett, died in a car crash soon after standing to be a governor of a Nigerian state on an anti-bribery platform in 1992

Streatham voted Remain by 79.5% in 2016 One of the leading voices in the People's Vote campaign, Mr Umunna has been the MP for Streatham in south London since 2010. At today's press conference, Mr Umunna said politics is 'broken' and Westminster parties have been 'failing' the public. He served under Ed Miliband as shadow business secretary between 2011 and 2015, and stood in the 2015 party leadership race, but withdrew after only three days, saying he was 'uncomfortable' with 'the added level of scrutiny that came with being a leadership candidate'. The 40-year-old quit the frontbench the day after Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader, citing differences over the UK's relationship with the EU. Mr Umunna won a 68.5% share of his constituency vote at the 2017 general election and holds a majority of more than 26,000. At the launch today, he said: 'It is time we dumped this country's old-fashioned politics,' he says. The UK needs a political party 'fit for the here and now' and the 'first step in leaving the tribal politics behind'. 'You don't join a political party to fight the people within it,' he says. The new group will have its first formal meeting in the coming days.' Umunna says the bottom line is: 'Politics is broken. It doesn't have to be this way. Let's change it.' Advertisement

Mike Gapes: 'Sickened by party's anti-semitism' MP for Ilford South since the 1992 general election and one of the Labour Party's longest serving MPs

Is sickened by antisemitism in the party and is furious that the Labour leadership 'is facilitating Brexit'

Gapes was born in Wanstead Hospital, the son of a postman, and a shop assistant

He worked at Labour Party Headquarters for 15 years from 1977 until 1992 including serving from 1988 to 1992 as International Secretary of the Labour Party

Ilford South voted Remain by 56.7% in 2016. Veteran MP Mr Gapes said he was 'sickened that Labour is now racist anti-Semitic party and furious that Labour party complicit in facilitating Brexit' Mr Gapes, a former chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told the press conference: 'I am sickened that the Labour Party is now a racist, anti-Semitic party. 'I am furious that the Labour leadership is complicit in facilitating Brexit, which will cause great economic, social and political damage to our country. 'Jeremy Corbyn and those around him are on the wrong side on so many international issues - from Russia, to Syria, to Venezuela. 'A Corbyn Labour government would threaten our national security and international alliances.' In December 2018, Mr Gapes signed a letter in The Guardian calling for a second vote on Brexit. He, alongside 16 other MPs across Parliament, said: 'We call on all party leaders and parliament to trust the people with the final say so we can face the future united.' Advertisement

Angela Smith: Voters feel 'politically homeless' as the country faces huge challenges Has been an MP for two constituencies - first for Sheffield Hillsborough 2005-10 and since 2010 Penistone and Stocksbridge

Served as a shadow minister under Ed Miliband after being a Labour Party members since she was 16 years old

Before politics, she worked for five years in the NHS before a career as an English lecturer

She was targeted in the expenses scandal after it emerged she submitted claims for four beds for her one bedroom flat in London

Penistone and Stockbridge voted Leave by 60.7% in 2016 The 57-year-old MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire was first elected in May 2005 for Sheffield, Hillsborough. She won the 2017 general election contest with a 1,322 majority. Last month Mr Corbyn was criticised after he appeared to refuse to give way to Ms Smith during his Commons Brexit statement, which she suggested happened because she supports a second referendum. Over the years, the veteran MP has formed part of a number of parliamentary select committees, including transport and environment, food and rural affairs. In her statement as the Labour Party split was announced, highly critical of Mr Corbyn, Ms Smith said since his election as leader in 2015 there has been a change in the Labour Party that has 'destroyed the proud legacy built by our predecessors'. She also revealed that by the age of five she knew her voting intention, but that the current Labour Party is 'characterised by lazy, populist thinking'. Angela Smith rejected comparisons with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) breakaway in 1981. 'I just don't think the comparison with the SDP stands up to scrutiny,' said Ms Smith. 'This is a different century and the challenges that the country faces are on a scale that I don't think we have seen at any other time in the post-war period.' She added that voters felt 'politically homeless'. Advertisement

Ann Coffey: 'I thought I'd be in Labour for the rest of my life' MP for Stockport since 1992 and one of Labour's longest serving politicians, after first being elected as a councillor in 1984

Accused Corbyn of 'tolerating' anti-Semitism so it is 'rife' inside the Labour Party

She is the author of Real Voices, an independent report into child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester published in October 2014

Stockport voted Remain by 53.2% in 2016 The MP for Stockport in Greater Manchester spent more than four decades in the Labour Party, and said she thought she would be a member 'until the end of [her] life' when she resigned the Labour whip on Monday. A supporter of a second referendum on Brexit, Ms Coffey, 72, was one of two MPs who tabled a motion of no-confidence in Jeremy Corbyn the day after the EU referendum. She said at the time: 'The result of the European Union referendum leaves this country in a mess. 'Leaders have to take responsibility and [Jeremy Corbyn] has to take his share of responsibility for this, and he should resign.' Announcing that she will now sit as an independent MP on Monday, Ms Coffey said the Labour Party 'is no longer a broad church'. She said: 'Any criticism is responded to with abuse and accusations of treachery. Anti-Semitism is rife and tolerated.' First elected in 1992, Ms Coffey has held a majority of almost 14,500 since the 2017 general election. Advertisement

Gavin Shuker: 'If you want to build something new, this is the moment to build it First elected in 2010 as the MP for Luton South

Educated at state school, he was leader and pastor of the City Life Church in Luton before entering politics

Luton South voted Leave by 54.6% Mr Shuker, in a direct appeal for donations, added: 'If you want to build something new, if you feel as politically homeless as us, this is the moment to build it.' He told his constituents: 'My decision to leave the Party is rooted in my commitment to the constituents of Luton South and to making decisions in their best interests. 'Today, the Labour party is riddled with anti-Semitism, it presents a threat to our national security and it's perfectly content to enable the hard Tory Brexit that will directly and negatively affect people in Luton. 'At a national level, I hope you'll agree that politics, as it is, is broken. None of the parties are providing the leadership that we need at this moment of crisis, and you've been trying to tell us this for a long time - not just since Brexit. That's why my hope is that the actions I've taken today, alongside others, will enable us to change politics, together.' Advertisement