Luciana Berger: Former Labour MP joins Lib Dems in bid to stop no-deal Brexit

Move comes after Tory MP Phillip Lee sensationally crossed floor to join Lib Dems during Commons speech by Boris Johnson

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
Thursday 05 September 2019 12:40 BST
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Luciana Berger is the fourth MP in three months to join the pro-EU party
Luciana Berger is the fourth MP in three months to join the pro-EU party

Former Labour MP Luciana Berger has joined the Liberal Democrats in a boost to the pro-European party’s ranks.

The Liverpool Wavertree MP dramatically defected from Jeremy Corbyn’s party earlier this year in protest over its handling of antisemitism complaints, joining up with a number of disaffected Labour and Tory MPs to co-found Change UK.

Ms Berger then left the group in June in the wake of the party’s disastrous showing in the European parliament elections.

She became the third independent MP to join the Liberal Democrats, after ex-Labour MP Chuka Umunna and former Tory Sarah Wollaston joined up.

The move also comes after Tory MP Phillip Lee sensationally crossed the floor to join the Lib Dems during a Commons speech by Boris Johnson, costing the prime minister his majority.

And another former Labour MP, Robert Flello - who lost his Stoke-on-Trent South seat in the 2017 election - also defected, saying: "The Rubicon is crossed. I’ve just ended my decades long commitment to a Labour Party I no longer recognise and joined the Lib Dems."

Ms Berger said: “This is a moment of national crisis. The Liberal Democrats are unequivocal in wanting to stop Brexit and are committed to securing Britain’s future as a tolerant, open and inclusive society.

“I am joining Jo Swinson and the Liberal Democrats today, in the national interest, to offer a vital, positive alternative to Johnson and Corbyn and help build a future that our country deserves.”

Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrat leader, welcomed her new colleague to the party, describing her as a “passionate advocate for women’s and LGBT+ rights” and at “the forefront of efforts to counter antisemitism and prevent discrimination”.

“Luciana becomes the fourth MP in three months to cross the floor and join the Liberal Democrats,” she said.

“We’re thrilled to add her perspective, expertise and skills to our ever-growing parliamentary team. The Liberal Democrats are growing in strength as we lead the fight to stop Brexit altogether.”

Ms Berger is not expected to stand again in Liverpool Wavertree – a Labour stronghold – but she would not be drawn on the seats she could be eyeing.

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Speculation has mounted she could be looking to stand in north London, which was heightened by her decision to announce her defection in the Evening Standard.

Her move to join the Liberal Democrats has swelled their ranks to 16 and comes off the strong performances in the European elections in May.

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