Independent MPs

[onlyconnect]

Am I the only one feeling really hopeful for the first time in ages?
I know it's very difficult in practice to start a new party and when it comes to winning elections almost impossible to get anywhere. But just at the moment I have hope!
Almost everyone I know would like a government that is socially liberal, believes in some intervention, strong public services, some redistribution but is way off being a full-on socialist and wants economic freedom. The most controversial part is that for me it needs to be pro- European, which they will be but obviously this is more divisive. I know there are people with views that don't fall into this camp but I think it reflects the biggest shared political vision at the moment and it feels woefully unrepresented.
If these MPs form a party I'm going to join and do what I can to help build them up.

I was looking for a thread
It does sound hopeful for the future, but will it take them forever to get it all together.
Unfortunately, it won't stop Brexit, I don't think.

Posted too soon. It's nice to see them voting with their feet rather than continuing the hypocrisy, well done to them.

Absolutely. It won't be easy at all but the rest are such a shambles you never know.

I'm sure lots who previously voted labour will vote for them, it will be interesting to see what happens next.
Well it will be for me as I no newt about how it all works, ito new parties.

I think it was a brave and courageous decision, but they haven’t the numbers, nor a party nor any actual financial donors.
Atm it looks like a little like a mutiny rather than a real party. If they are going to be more than passing news feed they need many many more members and a leader. Some policies and some common goals.
I doubt it can be done in time for the next election but who knows afterwards?

Springwalk. They won't be entitled to Short Money as they didn't contest the last General Election.

But I am sure both former Conservative and Labour Party MPs will have friends with deep, deep pockets and a wish for influence.

Political parties, by law, have to publish information about those who provided financial assistance. But to avoid any embarrassment they have taken the precaution of constituting the new group as a company limited by guarantee (Gemini A), so they don't have to reveal their backers. Neat really.

Great timing...

If one of the new independent MP's was up for election in my area I would definitely vote for them.
Unfortunately in my neck of the woods we have a Conservative MP & the only possible way to get rid of them is to vote Labour (who came a close 2nd in the last election.)
I don't like Labour under Jeremy Corbyn as him & his cronies are wrecking the Labour Party by taking it back to the Michael Foot days.
So that leaves the Lib Dem's who unfortunately don't have any traction here.
The country needs a new political party. I hope the new Independent group do form a proper Centrist party & come to power.

I live in a historical Labour area, it will never be anything else.

What I see is a bunch of losers and hypocrites congregating together! Most of these cowards, if not all of them, signed up 1) to have a referendum in 2016
2) to trigger Article 50
3) to deliver Brexit in their Labour and Tory manifestos of the 2017 GE.

These are the same folks who are very hot on a Second Referendum and a so-called, People's Vote.

Well idiots, just so you know, there's only ONE referendum!

And THE PEOPLE have voted!

Your £77,000 MP salary is a nice juicy and comfortable income which you, no doubt, would want to cling on to for dear life. Now put your money where your mouth is - resign!!! and let your constituents have a second referendum in by-elections!

Of course, true to form, you won't do that. But it doesn't really matter as you'd soon be history!

I will vote for them for no other reason than to piss of leave voters. They could have two heads, halitosis and an IQ of 1 I will still vote for them given the chance.

But the point is they won't give you a chance as like I said, that juicy salary is very hard to give up on. So you can piss yourself off till kingdom come.

Decormad38 people like you are one of the reasons I've gone from Remain to Leave

There is nothing comfortable about a job where you are sacked every five years and have to re-apply for your job. Nor is the MP's salary generous for the hours the job requires, more or less 18 hours a day seven days a week.

There are very few jobs at an MPs salary, with a pension for life that have so few requirements.

What is a "Pension for life?"

What other kind of pension is there?

Most people who work in a job for 5 years do not get 5/40 of their salary as a pension. or indeed 3 months pay once they get ousted.

£77k isn't that good. Most MPs would earn a lot more in the private sector.

I'm sat waiting in hope that our MP in our Tory safe area walks. I'd vote for them, I think they are a good MP, who actually cares and works for their constituents.

£77k isn't that good. Most MPs would earn a lot more in the private sector.

Really? Most of them have degrees in politics - pretty much useless outside politics.

£77k plus expenses plus 3 months salary if the lose an election, 3 months ministerial salary if the resign or are sacked.

No need to actually attend, long holidays.

Most of them have degrees in politics - pretty much useless outside politics.

Not true at all, my DH has a politics degree and works in finance.

Any of them could earn more than £77k, with a background as an MP.

Chuka, Luciana and Gavin Shuker, in particular, could command much, much higher salaries. People outside of London may not realise this.

They are not staying as MPs for the money.

The idea that it's somehow cushy to be an MP, is in my view very naive. £77k when you have to live away from home and when you need to pay for somewhere to stay in London is not a huge salary. And IMO it is right that it's a reasonable, comfortable salary. Why wouldn't we want our law makers to be well-paid people who could command good salaries elsewhere?
There may be the odd MP who doesn't work hard but the vast majority do, living away from home and as someone said could lose their jobs pretty easily.
Anyway, that's really an aside. I think now I was a bit naive thinking there'd be a new party. Its all just as messy as it was.

MP's work more or less 18 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Nice joke to start my Sunday off with!

Have you ever worked for or with an MP, Berenstein?

I have worked with several, and that estimation is not far off the mark.