CHUKA Umunna has been named as “group spokesperson” rather than leader of the Westminster’s new centrist force, The Independent Group, as it set out the portfolios of its various members.
Mr Umunna, who was among eight MPs who last week broke away from Labour mainly because of the party’s stance on Brexit and the row over anti-Semitism, said: “Our team is diverse and drawn from different backgrounds, including a former teacher, social worker, lecturer, entrepreneur, solicitor and GP.
“We intend to draw on all the talents and experiences of our group as we seek to change politics and give the British people a proper alternative to the broken politics being offered by the main political parties.”
The MP for Streatham in London stressed: “We are not a political party and, therefore, do not have a leader but the roles and responsibilities we have assigned recognise that all the members of our group have the right to be heard and a responsibility to provide leadership.
“Our structure is designed to be flexible to accommodate any changes as the group evolves and grows.”
In a sign of hope that TIG will see more defections to its ranks, one member, the former Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, has been given responsibility for “new colleagues”.
TIG said it had agreed, on an interim basis, “for this next phase,” the following portfolios:
*Heidi Allen - welfare and pensions, social care, and business;
*Luciana Berger - home affairs, health, and digital and culture;
*Ann Coffey - children and education;
*Mike Gapes - foreign affairs and defence;
*Chris Leslie - Treasury and trade;
*Joan Ryan - Group business manager and international development;
*Gavin Shuker - Group convenor;
*Angela Smith - transport, local government and housing, energy, environment and rural affairs;
*Anna Soubry - Brexit and justice [and assisting on defence];
*Chuka Umunna - Group spokesperson, Cabinet Office, and government policy co-ordination and
*Sarah Wollaston - new colleagues.
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