Boris Johnson’s disastrous time in office has spluttered to an ignominious conclusion. Many of those now deploring his record sided with Johnson when it really mattered because they wanted to block a left-wing government that could transform British society.
by Daniel Finn
Part 3 - Change UK Can Believe In
Austin and Woodcock weren’t the only Labour MPs to break ranks under Corbyn. In February 2019, seven MPs resigned from the party and set up the Independent Group, which later became Change UK. There was a lot of talk in the commentariat about their potential to break the mold of British politics. Yet in the 2019 election, Change UK — now calling itself the Independent Group for Change — took just over ten thousand votes, marginally outpolling the Monster Raving Loony Party.
All of the Labour defectors lost their seats — including those who defected a second time to the Liberal Democrats — apart from the ones who decided not to stand. They’ve since gone on to higher things: Chris Leslie became the CEO for Britain’s association of debt collectors, Luciana Berger took up a plum position with the PR firm Edelman, while Chuka Umunna started working for J.P. Morgan.
The chief organizer of the splinter group was Gavin Shuker, the MP for Luton South. In April 2020, Shuker explained what the main purpose of Change UK had been:
The chief organizer of the splinter group was Gavin Shuker, the MP for Luton South. In April 2020, Shuker explained what the main purpose of Change UK had been:
People might ask me in 30 years “what did you achieve in your time in politics?” I’m no fan of this government obviously. But still, I will be able to say I helped prevent Jeremy Corbyn from leading us through a huge national crisis. And to be honest, I’ll take that.
Of course, the only alternative Prime Minister to Corbyn in 2019 was Boris Johnson. If Shuker has revised his opinion of Johnson’s crisis-management skills in the light of the past two years, he has yet to reveal it.
Of course, the only alternative Prime Minister to Corbyn in 2019 was Boris Johnson. If Shuker has revised his opinion of Johnson’s crisis-management skills in the light of the past two years, he has yet to reveal it.
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