MP's who Resign now standing Independents

If they do form a party I wonder if they can simply become known as something like Chuka Umuna / Independent Party ?

As the Procedure stands in Parliament at the moment I guess that's all they have to do.

It doesn't sit well with me and I have no doubt does not sit well with their constituents either.

The Independent Group are in talks with the electoral commission to discuss forming a party.

Can it be more MP’s are to join them?

Not starting a new thread as it is not a party issue that concerns me but one of ' Policy and Procedure ' when an MP either ' Resigns from the party ' or ' Resigns the Whip ' and now stands an Independent MP.

Ex Labour MP Fiona Onasanya has today lost her appeal over her conviction for perjury .

I hope this sets a ball rolling as to when constituents have the right to a By-Election taking place in their constituency by our Parliamentarian's but I won't hold my breath.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/05/mp-fiona-onasanya-loses-attempt-to-appeal-against-conviction

Isabel Hardman, writing in the Spectator, notes-

"After apparently failing to speak to any of the three Tories who yesterday defected to the Independent Group, Theresa May today held talks with another two members who have said they could quit the party over its Brexit policy. Philip Lee and Justine Greening each got a private meeting with the Prime Minister in Downing Street. Both had complained that it was easy for members of the European Research Group to get a hearing in No. 10, but not pro-Remain MPs like themselves. Given May had claimed she was reaching out across the political divide to solve the Brexit impasse, these criticisms must have stung particularly strongly: apparently, she wasn't even reaching out within her own party."

What drives me spare is those expats all over the EU, and EEA- who voted for Brexit- although they have no intention to return ever to face consequences- and who now complain about loss of healthcare, permits, loss of free movement, etc, etc - and say it should not apply to them

Ginny, that is fine- I don't mind.

+ we both have dual nationality and still have a property in UK.

yes - as we have paid into the UK system all our lives- and we have no income whatsoever from Switzerland- and rely totally on our uk pensions in Sterling and reciprocal health care, I think it is fair enough We will be able to do so for another 5 years- the right falls once you are out of country for 15+ years- irrespective of above.

POGS, that is a very personal question to ask jura. The implication being that you don't think she should have an opinion.

Jura

Are you eligible to vote in UK General Elections, By- Elections, Council Elections?

Do you have a vote in both the UK and Swiss Elections?

Bathsheba

' in this country we vote for the candidate, not the party. - - - - -

You made that statement so if the constituency voted for the person not the party then they would vote for them again or think another candidate is better.

Going on to say they might not get get back in again is sort of arguing with your own point.

The fact remains the MP did not stand as an Independent they stood on their respective Party ticket and Manifesto and whether he/she has Resigned the Whip or Party they have now become INDEPENDENT MP's.

Not being re-elected - perhaps. There could also be a massive shift. Thinking about my own Constituency- Conservative to the core and where my vote, and OH's, always thrown in the bin, at every election, due to FPP system- then the Lib Dems could do very well at last.

Many people are sick of extremes - and want more consensus politics.

No POGS, I am not disagreeing with myself. I am positing the possibility that they may not be re-elected. I said "Just supposing they weren't."

No-one should ever be arrogant enough to rely on what might appear to be a certainty. David Cameron found that out in 2016.

The question is should the ' 19 ' MP's who no longer agree with their party but stood as candidates on the party manifesto and ticket who now sit as INDEPENDENTS should give their constituents the right to keep them as their MP's though the process of holding a By-Election

Exactly POGS.
Those Independents can now challenge the parties that gave them their seat in the Commons.

I accept they resigned because they no longer wanted to be part of the party, but they are not in the HOC to OPPOSE the party that brought them there.

Chuka Umunna says we should stay in the EU, for all it's faults, and argue our case from within. He isn't prepared to do that domestically though, is he? A tad hypocritical.

If they resigned on points of principle, that's fine, but they should also agree to the principle that their constituents might no longer want them unless they are allied to their party of choice. Some people DO vote for party above all else.

I am not a fan of the present Labour party, but I would argue it has been severely weakened (in numbers for a start...) by defecting MPs. It changes the make-up of the Commons - the 'homeless' MPs are there for themselves. Chaos will ensue if there are no by-elections for those who make themselves Independent.

Good post Jura,

Sarah Wollaston said the promises made by Mrs May the day she took on the leadership, but did nothing was her reason for leaving .

the last thing the country needs now is lots of by-elections- surely wou can see that.

However I do not think that the MPs have changed- but that they feel, and it is easy to see why- that their respective parties have changed. Conservtives now led by ERG and DUP - and Labour so split on so many issues- and on the lines of pro or anti EU, and also on a generational basis- with left and right becoming weirdly blurred. And JC still sitting on that bl**dy fence - and refusing to implement Conference, prop up Mrs May, make ridiculous proposals of so called compromise deal that cannot possibly be acceptable to EU- and pushing us towards a disastrous No Deal.

through obviously not thought!

Jura

It could also be said

Oh the irony of MP's who have left their respective parties because they want a 2nd Referendum because things have changed refuse to hold By-Elections to allow their own constituents to vote whether they still want them to represent them.

The question is NOT related to Brexit or Referendums though is it? There various reasons why the ' 19 ' so far have either Resigned the Whip or Party that broadens the debate.

The question is should the ' 19 ' MP's who no longer agree with their party but stood as candidates on the party manifesto and ticket who now sit as INDEPENDENTS should give their constituents the right to keep them as their MP's thought the process of holding a By-Election.

Oh the irony. From Catherine Bearder MP:

Interesting that pro Brexit MPs are calling for by-elections.

It's almost like they want a second vote
because some circumstances have changed since people voted and they want to democratically make a new decision based on the current information in front of them.

Yep. ' 19 ' no longer following the party line and now sitting as Independents.

More to come I have no doubt.

I think Parliamentary Procedure must surely have to be revisited having so many now Independents.

Bathsheba

'. in this country we vote for the candidate, not the party. '

'. If they were all to stand in a by-election, I would hope they would all be re-elected under their new independent status. But just supposing they weren't. We would immediately lose the impetus in Parliament of the principles they are standing up for. Everything they are trying to do would be swept away. We need to allow them to continue to have their voice in Parliament, to challenge all that is wrong in their original parties. '
----

You are disagreeing with yourself a little there or wanting your cake and eat it.

The MP' s who are now sitting as Independent MP's were not forced to Resign, they chose to Resign either the Whip or Party.

The candidates for MP also stand on their Party Manifesto and that surely is another reason why constituents/voters elect them as their MP.

If the MP is elected because he/she is the best candidate and not because of the party they belong to would it not be the case they would win again in a By - Election?

I agree we are supposed to vote for candidate not the partyb
but they didn't stand as Independent candidates they stood on a Party ticket and Manifesto.

Like the SNP ?

WHAT is the point of them resigning when they've said they will support the government to avoid a GE? Ruled by clowns and eegits ,shame they couldn't care less about anyone but themselves !!

He is not joining the group of MP’s who resigned this week

Ian Austin MP has now resigned from the LP, the ninth this week.