South Cambridgeshire MP Heidi Allen quits Change UK

South Cambridgeshire MP Heidi Allen is to sit as independent after quitting Change UK today (Tuesday, June 4).

The party said Anna Soubry has been elected as its new leader.

Joining Ms Allen - who had been the party's interim leader - in leaving Change UK are Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Sarah Wollaston, Angela Smith and Gavin Shuker.

A statement released by the group said: “We’re are all immensely proud of the team of Change UK candidates and supporters who stepped forward to join us in making the unequivocal case for Remain in the recent EU elections. We believe Change UK boosted the campaign and turnout.

“To all the newly elected MEPs who stood on an unambiguous manifesto to remain, we offer our congratulations and support as we continue fighting together for the UK to remain in the European Union.

“We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us over the past four months since we left our respective political parties.

“Heidi Allen, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith, Chuka Umunna and Sarah Wollaston have made the decision to leave Change UK, returning to supporting each other as an independent grouping of MPs.

“We believe that our priority right now must be to provide collegiate leadership to bring people together in the national interest.

“We know the landscape will continue to shift within the political environment and have concluded that by returning to sit as independents, we will be best placed to work cross party and respond flexibly. We wish our colleagues well as they continue to build Change UK.”