Former Labour members and supporters switch to Lib Dems over Brexit
A short sample of recent messages from people who used to support Labour until Jeremy Corbyn’s long history of Euro-scepticism (and remember that holiday during the European referendum?) dragged the Labour Party into repeatedly supporting Theresa May over Brexit:
Sorry @UKLabour but I've had enough of your supporting the Tories' abysmal Brexit psychodrama. #StopBrexit
I just joined the Liberal Democrats – join me here: https://t.co/yzSJ4oviHa via @LibDems— Karen Unwin #PeoplesVote #FBPE #RevokeA50 (@krinklykaren) December 21, 2017
Me too pic.twitter.com/ea7tD52wPX
— Name cannot be blank #FBPE (@climatechangejb) December 21, 2017
That's me done with abstaining @UKLabour – am resigning and have just joined @LibDems Only Lab MPs who voted for a #referendum on the #BrexitDeal were @BenPBradshaw @AnnClwyd @GeraintDaviesMP @PaulFlynnMP @RogerGodsiff @helenhayes_ @DavidLammy @CatherineWest1 @DanielZeichner 🙁
— Jennifer Margaret Bee (@ASurreyLady) December 21, 2017
I have always voted labour until the last election when I voted LibDem. I was disappointed that they did get not more votes. We have to fight for a second referendum now that the electorate is better informed and vote for the Libdems so that we can stay in the EU.
— Ev #FBPE#People’s Vote (@mrsmacchan) December 20, 2017
I voted tactically with Labour last. Just joined the #libdems. Sick of what's happening to us.
— TeeNoodles #FBPE #RevokeA50 (@TeeNoodles) December 20, 2017
I am an ex Labour voter who has joined the Lib Dems. My MP is hopeless (Tory) but we will be canvassing hard to increase the Lib Dem vote in a pretty safe Tory constituency.
— Frances Toomey 🔶 #FBPE (@FrancesToomey) December 22, 2017
I live in a constituency where Labour has a 5% share so its moot here. Although Labour I always ended up tactically voting Lib Dem. I joined the Lib Dems in 2016 to fight Brexit and support local Lib Dem councillors.
— Chris Smith #FBPE🔶 (@ledredman) December 12, 2017
Here's another one for you @markpack. I resigned from the Brexit loving @UKLabour last year after the leadership contest. I thought I'd done with politics, but Jeremy's recent activities have convinced me to join the @LibDems and fight Brexit all the way.
— Kate Adie of Remain (@TheresanotMay) December 22, 2017
I joined #LibDems as well for that same reason. Previously I was a member if the Labour Party (my family has strong ties and deep roots in the trade union movement) but no more! @jeremycorbyn had betrayed us all. #StopBrexit https://t.co/9nfzP1aj3R
— Chris Jenkins #FBPE #PeoplesVote #StopBrexit (@ChrisJenkins60) December 22, 2017
I already have, quit @UKLabour and joined @LibDems purely due to Corbyn's backing of Brexit. Labour is doomed to fail if it retains this stance.
— @thestaveros (@thestaveros) December 27, 2017
Spot any further recently examples? Do let me know and I’ll update this post.
For the wider picture of public opinion, see my recent Euro polling round-up.
UPDATE: It’s not just Labour. Conservatives are joining too. As are more from Labour, including Flora Page.
Though not born at the time he made the Zurich speech in September 1946, I have been reminded of it and it is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln4SRnt4VE0. Some minor political commentator? No, it was no less than the Tory leader Winston Churchill – and what a well positioned and highly relevant speech it remains to this day, over 70 years on. It may not be the United States of Europe, it may not be the perfect European Union, but for sure it will serve generations of UK and European citizens far more securely and beneficially than the muddle that is our destiny with the ‘strong and stable’ jokers whose sole interest, because ‘they’ll be alright Jack, whatever happens,’ seems to be their own self-interest.