What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Chuka Umunna’s Independent Group of MPs could soon replace the SNP as the UK’s third largest party – now nine more Labour MPs are due to join him.

The news of more defections came as Jeremy Corbyn singled out TIG defector Chris Leslie for criticism.

The Labour leader said yesterday: “Walking away from our movement achieves nothing.”

But the growing group could yet prove him wrong.

Sir Vince Cable’s Lib Dems are pledged to work with TIG. Its 11 MPs would swell numbers to 22.

The nine Labour MPs said to be on the verge of jumping ship, could bring the total to 35, if four more Tories join them after agonising over a move.

(Image: Getty)

That would make the independent rebel MPs equal to the SNP.

Only one more defector would be needed to overtake them.

Group founder Umunna today gives the clearest indication yet its MPs plan to create a new SDP.

Writing exclusively in the Sunday Mirror, the Labour defector says TIG “will forge a new, different kind of politics.”

That echoes Labour Gang of Four Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams announcing in 1981 they would “break the mould of British politics” with the SDP.

(Image: PA)

But the MP for Streatham, South London, says while the SDP was “basically Labour 2.0”, the new group is not.

He adds: “Politics is broken. We cannot and must not recreate the old parties’ tribalism and incompetence.”

Once TIG became a proper political party it could chair select committees, grill Theresa May at PMQs , and be eligible for £800,000 in state funding.

But it would first have to win seats at a General Election.