UK parties brace for fresh defections

Thursday, 21 February 2019 15:50

The UK's two main political parties are braced for fresh defections to a new Independent Group of MPs.

A total of 11 MPs have so far joined the Independent Group - eight from opposition Labour, and three from the governing Conservatives.

The Independent Group is not yet a political party, but says it wants to occupy the "centre ground".

It's rumoured several MPs from Labour and the Conservatives are close to quitting over issues including Brexit and their own current parties' leaderships.

But Chancellor Philip Hammond says he hopes the move by defecting Conservatives won't be permanent.

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