New Party, New Alliances

The Electoral Commission accepted the registration of Change UK as a political party today. At last the work can begin to establish a new movement to change British politics. There is room for working with the Liberal Democrats but this needs to kept to an electoral arrangement to allow Change UK to establish it's own profile in the coming months.

The party is preparing to fight the European elections and there are a lot of people who are looking for a serious pro-European party. I'm neutral on the subject having got bored of the whole Brexit debacle but there is a constituency out there that Change UK is a part of. Most of it's supporters are pro-Europe and I'm certainly not going to rock the boat over this when there's so much other stuff I can help with.


Image: By Source, Fair use.

Building new alliances is a key to creating something new and it was announced today that the small but growing Renew Party have agreed to an alliance. The press release states:

Renew Party moves to support The Independent Group

Monday 15 April 2019: The Independent Group and Renew reached a joint agreement that Renew will support The Independent Group at the European elections.

Renew have said that they welcome the opportunity to give their support, backing and friendship to The Independent Group. Renew have therefore begun preparations to wind up operations as soon as the Electoral Commission gives ‘Change UK - The Independent Group’ the all-clear to run in the elections. Renew looks forward to this new chapter as an integral part of an exciting new pro-EU venture.

The Independent Group acknowledges the worthwhile and meaningful endeavours of Renew, and the hard work and dedication of their board members, staff, regional coordinators, policy working groups, supporters and candidates since inception.

Forming a new pro-EU party, particularly during the last two years, has clearly been arduous and challenging, and The Independent Group acknowledges the energy and ambition of Renew in standing up for decent values and honesty in political and public life.

Given the urgency of preparing for European elections, TIG is grateful for Renew’s pragmatic and generous approach in cooperating under shared values, interests and ideas. The Independent Group has welcomed applications for MEP candidacy from Renew approved candidates.

Commenting on Renew’s decision to support The Independent Group, Interim Leader of The Independent Group, Heidi Allen MP, said:

“I take my hat off to the Renew party who have worked incredibly hard to achieve what many would consider to be an impossible feat, a party born not out of Westminster but in the country. Their values mirror the collaborative approach in The Independent Group, so I am pleased we are working together in the national interest.

“Both Renew and The Independent Group have said that British politics is broken and it needs to change. We are looking forward to working together with them and their supporters in order to change British politics and make the positive case for Britain’s membership of the European Union.”

Annabel Mullin, leader of Renew, said:

“In keeping with Renew’s commitment to honest, open and practical politics, we are happy to be working with The Independent Group. Due to the Brexit threat, it is essential that the pro-European vote is not split on May 23rd. This strategic move will ensure that voters are presented with a clear, pro-European choice at the ballot box.

“I know that Renew’s work at the grassroots levels can help The Independent Group’s established MPs build a better political system. Renew was founded in order to change the conversation on political reform and provide millions of disenfranchised voters with a voice. We can now do that with The Independent Group, who can provide invaluable expertise and leadership at this crucial time.

“I hope this move will provide a platform for doing politics differently.”

This is a welcome move and I would also like to see Change UK co-operate with The Women's Party. The need for wider co-operation can only strengthen a new politics so desperately needed in this country.