More MPs set to follow Chuka Umunna to the Liberal Democrats

More MPs are set to follow former Labour and The Independent Group of Change MP Chuka Umunna in joining the Liberal Democrats, sources in the Lib Dems told Yahoo Finance UK.

Independent MPs Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston have been in discussions with the group, and are anticipated to join the party in the near future. Both left the Conservative party in March to form The Independent Group for Change - known as Change UK - alongside eight former Labour MPs, and former Conservative MP Anna Soubry.

They subsequently left The Independent Group for Change following splits within the party, and sat as Independent MPs.

Lib Dem sources maintain that while Allen and Wollaston are considering joining, insiders are keen to downplay the immediacy of the agreement. Conservative MP Phillip Lee has also had discussions with the Party, however talks were at a less developed stage than those with Allen and Wollaston.

A Lib Dem spokesperson said “We’ve had conversations with a number of MPs before and since Change UK happened. There’s been major splits in the two main parties and our door is always open.”

Sources close to new Liberal Democrat MP Chuka Umunna have said that he does not expect to take a policy portfolio immediately, but would be open to taking one once the Lib Dem leadership election between Ed Davey and Jo Swinson has concluded.

Umunna is set to continue his work on All Party Parliamentary Groups for Integration and EU relations, and continue writing his column for The Independent, according to a source close to him.

Commenting on his defection, Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said: “Chuka and I have worked together effectively for many months, campaigning for a people’s vote and to stop brexit.

“I know that he will be a great asset to our party not just on Brexit, but in fighting for the liberal and social democratic values that we share.

“He joins alongside 20,000 people across the country just this month, demonstrating clearly that the Liberal Democrats are the biggest, clearest and most formidable force in the liberal centre-ground of British politics today.”