One small indicator of this is in the current state of the parties. Remember, it is still less than two years since the 2017 general election, but in that time Labour have haemorrhaged a whopping 17 MPs. Admittedly one (Paul Flynn) passed away, but there is no guarantee Labour will win that by-election either. Flynn commanded a 5,658 majority, but two factors could come into play. It's a 54% Leave seat and voters could be unhappy about Corbyn's u-turn on a second referendum. Secondly, what if Chuka and co throw in a candidate and split the Labour vote? It could be very interesting!
The Tories, by contrast, have lost just three MPs in the same period. These all came in the trio of defections to the Independent Group. We've listed Labour's 17 lost MPs below. Williamson will undoubtedly return at some stage, certainly if his idol Corbyn has anything to do with it.
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Kelvin Hopkins - suspended by Labour in November 2017 pending an investigation into alleged sexual harassment. Nothing has been heard since and Hopkins is currently listed as an independent.
Jared O'Mara - resigned from Labour in July 2018, nine days after being reinstated following his suspension over allegations of misogyny and homophobia.
John Woodcock - resigned from Labour in July 2018 having been suspended since April 2018 over allegations of sexual harassment.
Frank Field - resigned from Labour in August 2018 in protest over anti-Semitism.
Ivan Lewis - resigned from Labour in December 2018 having been suspended since November 2018 over allegations of sexual harassment.
Fiona Onasanya - expelled from Labour in January 2019 following her conviction for perverting the course of justice.
Paul Flynn - died in February 2019 aged 84.
Luciana Berger - resigned from Labour in February 2019 to form the Independent Group.
Ann Coffey - resigned from Labour in February 2019 to form the Independent Group.
Mike Gapes - resigned from Labour in February 2019 to form the Independent Group.
Chris Leslie - resigned from Labour in February 2019 to form the Independent Group.
Gavin Shuker - resigned from Labour in February 2019 to form the Independent Group.
Angela Smith - resigned from Labour in February 2019 to form the Independent Group.
Chuka Umunna - resigned from Labour in February 2019 to form the Independent Group.
Joan Ryan - resigned from Labour in February 2019 to join the Independent Group.
Ian Austin - resigned from Labour in February 2019 in protest over anti-Semitism.
Chris Williamson - suspended by Labour in February 2019 pending an investigation into remarks made about the ongoing anti-Semitism scandal.
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| Corbyn has a real issue keeping hold of his MPs |
