The decision of three Tory MPs to quit the party over the “disastrous handling of Brexit" and join Labour rebels in the Independent Group has been blasted as a “bad mistake”.
MPs Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston resigned from the Conservatives on Wednesday morning, as they suggested the party has been “drifting to the right wing of British politics”.
The trio, long critical of Theresa May's Brexit strategy, said in a statement they would join a new group in parliament set up by seven former opposition Labour politicians.
Although some hailed the bravery of the MPs for resigning and said they were sorry to see them leave the party, others branded the move as a “bad mistake".
Eric Pickles, former local government and communities secretary, described the resignations as “expected, sad and ultimately a big mistake for the individuals”.
The Prime Minister also said she was “saddened” by the resignations but insisted “we are doing the right thing for our country by delivering Brexit” and the party’s manifesto commitment.
She said in a statement: “I am saddened by this decision – these are people who have given dedicated service to our party over many years, and I thank them for it.
“Of course, the UK’s membership of the EU has been a source of disagreement both in our party and our country for a long time.
"Ending that membership after four decades was never going to be easy.”
The move poses a fresh headache for Mrs May as she heads to Brussels for Brexit talks with Jean-Claude Juncker.
Former education secretary and Conservative MP Nicky Morgan also said she was “very sorry” to see her “principled and fearless friend” Ms Soubry resign from the party.
She tweeted: “Very sorry to read this from my principled and fearless friend Anna Soubry
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“Any political party should be a broad church and we should regret losing three such talented women from the Conservative Party."
MP James Brokenshire also said he was disappointed but said the focus must remain on Brexit.
Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson meanwhile offered her "kudos to the brave MPs" from both Labour and Conservative parties who have now joined the Independent Group.
She said: "'a purple momentum is now subsuming the Conservative party... marching the country to the cliff edge of no deal'
"Kudos to the brave MPs who have left the broken Conservative and Labour parties. Our country deserves better than this national shambles of a Government."
Grant Shapps also responded to the resignations online, saying: “Sad Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen quit Conservatives, claiming they’re ‘honour bound’ to put constituents first.
“They’ve WRONGLY concluded colleagues who support Brexit are NOT putting constituents first! Remain or Leave doesn’t define whether you are a moderate.”
After the newly-formed Independent Group entered the Commons ahead of PMQs, Labour MP Danielle Rowley wrote on Twitter: “How people who once called themselves Labour can cosy up next to the likes of Soubry, smiling and laughing, is absolutely beyond me."
The Tory resignations come after Joan Ryan became the eighth MP to leave Labour for TIG. With 11 MPs, TIG now has as many representatives in the Commons as the Liberal Democrats.
