Earlier today, Chris Leslie the MP for Nottingham East resigned from the Labour Party and announced that he join with 6 other MPs to form the Independent Group.

First and Foremost, it must be made clear, Chris Leslie has resigned from the Labour party, not his seat in Parliament. At least in theory, MPs are elected as individuals as members of a party list, so for now Chris Leslie still holds the mandate to sit in Parliament and represent Nottingham East which is not affected by party affiliation.

Chris Leslie will now sit in the House of Commons along side Luciana Berger, Ann Coffey, Mike Grapes, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith and Chuka Umunna as part of The Independent Group. The Independent Group is not a registered Political party and has no membership apart from the 7 MP’s who have formed it, although the website allows donations. It is supported by Gemini A LTD, a Limited company who’s only Director is Gavin Shuker.

While there is no manifesto published on the website, a set of main principles are set out in a ‘Statement of Independence’. A overriding principle is that the group seeks policies that are “evidenced-based, not led by ideology”. You can see the full see list of values on the ‘Statement of independence’ webpage.

Overall, Chris Leslie has left the Labour party, so will no longer be required to follow the way the Labour leadership directs its MPs to do so. But, he remains the Member of Parliament for Nottingham East, unless he resigns from Parliament to allow for a by-election,