Chuka Umunna joins Lib Dems after quitting Change UK
Remainer MP admits he was wrong to think a new party would thrive
Chuka Umunna, the former Labour and Change UK MP has joined the Liberal Democrats.
In a statement, the Remainer MP said he wanted to be “at the forefront” of “a progressive and internationalist movement” in British politics.
Speaking to The Times, the MP for Streatham admitted he had been “wrong” to think “millions of politically homeless people... wanted a new option on the ballot paper”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He added that he “vastly underestimated the importance of having an infrastructure and existing relationships with voters”.
Commenting on Umunna’s latest change of path, the BBC notes that he withdrew from the 2015 Labour leadership contest days after announcing his candidacy.
However, the MP told The Times he expects criticism along these lines. “I’ve got a pretty thick skin,” he said. “You don’t leave all of the political security of what are the two main parties if you’re out for self-advancement. And I’m not sure what more I could do to prove that I’m not, not a careerist.”
The former business secretary quit Change UK last week, after it gained only 3.4% of the vote in the European elections. In the same vote, the Lib Dems enjoyed a surge in support, finishing in second place after the Brexit Party.
Umunna said the success of the Lib Dems showed the party could be the ”spearhead” of a ”new progressive movement in this country”.
The outgoing Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable told The Times: “Chuka and I have worked together effectively for many months, campaigning for a People's Vote and to stop Brexit."
He added: “I know that he will be a great asset to our party not just on Brexit, but in fighting for the liberal and social democratic values that we share.”
Meanwhile, the two candidates to replace Sir Vince as party leader have welcomed Umunna’s arrival. Jo Swinson said: “I know the passion, intellect and energy he will bring to our party, and our campaign to stop Brexit.” Ed Davey said he would make “a huge contribution”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 - 22 November
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Firing shells, burning ballots, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Damian Barr shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The writer and broadcaster picks works by Alice Walker, Elif Shafak and others
By The Week UK Published
-
John Prescott: was he Labour's last link to the working class?
Today's Big Quesiton 'A total one-off': tributes have poured in for the former deputy PM and trade unionist
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published