Seven Labour Party MPs Resign Over Brexit and 'Anti-Semitism'

Seven Members of Parliament from the UK Labour Party, the opposition party, separated from the party on Monday, February 18, due to its policies on various issues, including Brexit and anti-Semitism. This is the largest resignation in British political parties in recent decades. According to the Associated Press, this event clearly revealed the rift between socialists and moderates within the party, which claims to represent the working class in Britain. It is also the latest consequence of Britain's decision to leave the European Union, which has divided not only the public but also the two main political parties in the country (Conservative and Labour) into pro-Brexit and anti-Brexit factions. A significant number of Labour MPs are dissatisfied with Jeremy Corbyn's policies, who became leader in 2015 and has the support of trade unions and the left wing of the party. They accuse Corbyn of failing to provide an effective opposition to Prime Minister Theresa May's plan for leaving the EU and of not rooting out anti-Semitism within the Labour Party. These MPs, with parliamentary experience ranging from 9 to 27 years and from various constituencies across England, represent a very small fraction of the 256 Labour MPs or the total 650 members of the UK Parliament. However, it is the largest split from the Labour Party since 1981. Luciana Berger, one of the MPs who resigned on Monday, stated that anti-Semitism has become institutionalized within the Labour Party and added, 'I am leaving a space and culture of bullying, bigotry, and intimidation.' The Associated Press also reports that Labour leaders have acknowledged that Ms. Berger, who is Jewish, was harassed by some party members at her local branch in northwest England. The Labour Party has long been accused of developing an anti-Semitic tendency during Corbyn's leadership, who is a long-time supporter of Palestinians. However, Corbyn's supporters argue that right-wing media and his political opponents have misrepresented his views. Meanwhile, influenced by the 2016 referendum that voted for Britain's exit from the EU, not only society but also the main political parties, including the Conservative and Labour parties, have become divided on this issue. Jeremy Corbyn, who has always been a critic of bureaucracy and some EU policies, set aside his personal opinion during that referendum and defended remaining in the EU. Nevertheless, he is unwilling to adopt a policy that contradicts the views of the majority of voters who supported leaving the EU. Mike Gapes, another Labour MP who has separated from the party, said, 'I am very angry with the leader's alignment with Brexit, which will cause severe economic and political damage to our country.' These seven MPs announced that despite leaving the Labour Party, they will retain their seats in Parliament and will now operate as an independent parliamentary group. Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, reacted to this event by saying, 'I am sorry that these representatives have concluded that they can no longer work with our party, which inspired millions in the last general election and had the highest increase in votes since 1945.'