The fragmentation of the big parties
The resignation of 11 MPs from their parties may not sound much. But it could yet disrupt Britain’s broken politics
IN THE PAST few years many of the MPs in Britain’s main parties have grown increasingly unhappy. One reason Brexit has proved tricky is that the party divide does not map onto views about Europe. This week 11 moderate MPs, eight Labour and three Conservative, decided that they had had enough—and more may join them. Given that Parliament seats 650 MPs, their resignation to create a new Independent Group might seem a minor tremor. But it matters: as a verdict on Labour’s leader, Jeremy Corbyn; as another complication in resolving Brexit; and as a warning of an earthquake that could yet reshape Britain’s two-party system.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Splitting image”
From the February 23rd 2019 edition
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