Watched by the eight other members of The Independent Group on the front row at the press conference, Ms Allen said she was "excited" about the future, adding: "I want to be part of something better, a party that people vote for because they want to, not because they feel they have to."<doc-sep>Conservative MP and vice chairman of the European Research Group Mark Francois denied his group was a "party within a party" that had taken control, saying they were "a group of Conservative MPs who are passionately committed to honouring the democratic decision of the British people that we should leave the EU".<doc-sep>A Tory minister and four Conservative backbenchers appear poised to defect to the new Independent Group set up by disgruntled Labour MPs, it has been claimed. Describing the breakaway group as “remarkably sensible people”, the minister told the Telegraph he was prepared to join the new party if the Government presses ahead with a no-deal Brexit. It came as Anna Soubry sparked speculation she is preparing to jump ship after removing a Conservative Party slogan from her social media profile. The Tory Remainer removed all reference to her party from her Twitter biography, referring to herself simply as ‘MP for Broxtowe’ having previously described herself as a ‘lifelong One Nation Tory’. The title echoes the wording used by the seven breakaway Labour MPs including Lucian Berger and Chuka Umunna who announced they were quitting their party and forming the Independent Group of MPs.<doc-sep>A Tory Minister admitted today he 'perfectly understands' what the 'gang of seven' is doing and failed to rule out joining the group. Richard Harrington - who last week urged hardline Brexiteers to leave the Tories and join Nigel Farage's new Brexit Party - said his battle was inside the Conservatives. But as the new Independent Group appealed for members from across the Commons, Mr Harrington said only he and others 'intend to win this battle'. Independent group ringleader Chuka Umunna today predicted the group would turn into a full-blown political party within months. He made a direct plea to 'demoralised' Tory MPs frustrated at the 'Ukipisation' of the party's grass roots as ex-Ukip members turn to the Conservatives. Mr Umunna's call came as Westminster waits to see who will jump next. If the group can swell to 36 members it could take the SNP's place as the third biggest party and get to question the Prime Minister every week. Appearing on GMB today (pictured), Chuka Umunna said he would like to see a new party form out of the group 'by the end the of the year' Tory Minister Richard Harrington (left) has stopped short of ever ruling out joining the Independent Group after slamming hardline Brexiteers while Tory Sarah Wollaston has warned the party is being taken over by ex-Ukip activists Dr Wollaston's intervention will raise expectations she and other Tory MPs could join the 'gang of seven' centrists who walked out of Labour yesterday The rebel MPs have chosen to sit next to the DUP in the Commons today. Angela Smith, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker and Mike Gapes are pictured in the Commons top right behind Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine speaking today Tory MPs Sarah Wollaston, Anna Soubry and Heidi Allen are all the subject of intense scrutiny amid rumours they could defect. Former minister Nick Boles said it was 'b*******' to suggest he could defect today - after appearing to leave the question open yesterday. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been warned he could lose as many as 50 MPs if he refuses to tackle the anti-Semitism, bullying and hard-left culture cited by the seven politicians who triggered the biggest split in British politics since 1981. Mr Harrington told the Telegraph he 'perfectly understands' what Independent Group is doing and wishes them all the best - adding the for the Conservative Party by one nation Tories like himself and Greg Clark is not lost. Which Tories could jump ship to the new Independent Group? So far no Conservative MP has gone public with support for the new Independent Group - but Westminster is rife with rumours pro-Remain MPs could make the jump amid frustration over Brexit. Leading contenders are thought to be: Sarah Wollaston Heidi Allen Anna Soubry There are even reports a minister is considering the leap. Attention will focus on ministers who have spoken out against no deal Brexit like Richard Harrington, who called the ERG traitors last week. Advertisement He said: 'We intend to win this battle.' He added later to Sky News: 'I’m a conservative, a moderate Conservative but a Conservative.' Mr Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Ann Coffey and Mike Gapes left in rage at Mr Corbyn's leadership yesterday. Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said the decision was only 'premature', while Shadow chancellor John McDonnell called for a 'mammoth listening exercise' today as the Labour leadership scrambled to deal with the crisis. But Mr Corbyn warned the group this afternoon they had been elected on Labour's manifesto - and even jibed those who felt he did not listen were 'not taking up the opportunities that are available'. The stubborn response will anger Labour MPs considering whether to follow their former colleagues over the top. The Independent Group warned 'politics is broken' and appealed from other parties to join their new group. Their resignation signals the biggest split in British politics since the SDP walked out of Labour in 1981 and realigned the left - paving the way for Tony Blair's election in 1997. What is the Independent Group and can you vote for it? What happened yesterday? Seven MPs resigned from the Labour Party and set up something called the Independent Group Is it a political party? No. It is a small business - technically a limited company - called Gemini A Ltd that was set up Gavin Shuker, one of the MPs, in January. But leaders have said an actual party will form out of the group 'by the end the of the year'. Can I vote for it? No. Unless and until it registers with the Electoral Commission, it cannot stand candidates. Can I donate to it? Yes. The group is accepting donations through its website theindependent.group. It says donations will support the newly independent MPs. What does it want? All seven are Remain supporters and most of them have promoted a second referendum to cancel Brexit. They say they want evidence-based policy making to tackle the challenges facing Britain - without being inside a toxic Labour Party. Advertisement They appealed to the public for donations to get the new project - which is not yet a political party and is not yet able to stand candidates - off the ground. Mr Umunna told the Today programme the 'gang of seven' were putting 'everything on the line' - and said: 'We're inviting anybody who shares our values to join us. 'There are clearly a lot of Labour MPs wrestling with their conscience, and Conservatives who are demoralised for the Ukip-isation, if you like, of the party.' Mr Ummuna added: 'There are many other people who have misgivings about their parties. 'If we're to fix the broken politics, you can't do that within the existing parties who can't be the change because they've become the problem in my view.' Appearing on GMB today, Mr Umunna said he would like to see a new party form out of the group 'by the end the of the year'.<doc-sep>
SENIOR Tories fear that at least six Conservatives will quit the party to join Chuka Umunna and the ‘Independents’. Anti-Brexiteer MPs Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston are under ‘resignation watch’. 7 Anti-Brexiteer MP Heidi Allen is under ‘resignation watch’ from the Conservative Party Credit: Alamy 7 Veteran Tory Anna Soubry is also thought to be in of deflecting according to insiders Credit: Darren Fletcher - The Sun And insiders are convinced Anna Soubry will also walk despite her long career in the Tory party. Others thought to be considering their future are Antoinette Sandbach, Philip Lee and ex-Education Secretary Justine Greening. Both Ms Allen and Dr Wollaston have faced a fury from local activists over their strong support for a People’s Vote. Neither would comment yesterday. Ms Soubry would only reply: “Nothing to say. Today is about Labour and Corbyn.” One senior Tory told The Sun: “There’s a feeling that all six have already ‘left’. "They speak about the Conservative Party in the third person, talking about ‘us’ and ‘them’. “It’s feeling that it’s only a matter of time before they go.” MOST READ IN POLITICS BO-NO Boris DID say he'd rather 'let bodies pile high than have lockdown', claims Cummings DOMSHELLS Dominic Cummings: 10 grenades Boris Johnson's ex-adviser lobbed 'CRIMINAL' Matt Hancock 'sent infected Covid patients to care homes' , blasts Cummings COVID CRISIS Cummings says Covid plans 'derailed' by Carrie going 'crackers' over dog domshell PM was told 'we're absolutely f***ed' in 'Independence Day' scenes, Cummings says sorry state No more local lockdowns insists Shapps as he admits chaos sparked by poor comms Another joked: “You could argue Heidi and Wollaston have been independent for quite some time.” Ms Soubry let rip at Theresa May’s handling of Brexit last week and following the PM’s defeat in the Commons she said the Tory Party was “broken”. She said: “The future of the Conservative Party is going to be extremely bleak.” 7 Seven Labour Party members including Chuka Umunna quit the party yesterday Credit: PA:Press Association 7 Conservative Sarah Wollaston is also under ‘resignation watch’ Credit: PA:Press Association 7 Antoinette Sandbach is also thought to be reconsidering her future in the party Credit: Handout/UK Parliament 7 Phillip Lee, who resigned from the Government in July over Brexit, is also thought to be likely to leave Credit: Wikipedia 7 Ex-Education Secretary Justine Greening could also be out the door Credit: Reuters BBC blunder as live coverage of Labour split captures man saying 'between this and Brexit we're f*****' The Sun Says LABOUR is in disarray. But things could soon be worse for the Tories. Six of Theresa May’s Remainer backbenchers could join the new gang. That’s bad enough. But if the Tories do not deliver Brexit on or soon after March 29 they could split in half, only to be eaten alive by Nigel Farage’s new party. That’s why they cannot afford to let Remainers steal Brexit negotiations from the Government and postpone it. And why backbench Brexiters MUST be sensible when changes to the backstop come. It’s compromise, or catastrophe.