Labour and the Conservatives were rocked earlier this year when a string of MPs quit en masse to form The Independent Group (eventually, Change UK) over
Brexit and anti-Semitism.
Most of them then quit Change
UK to join the Lib Dems, some going independent along the way.
In some cases, they were veteran MPs who likely hoped that their personal popularity would overshadow party loyalties among the electorate, and that they would be returned to parliament.
Except that isn't what's happened.
All 11 of the MPs who quit
Labour or the Tories have lost their seats. Only former Labour MP Luciana Berger was on track to take Finchley and Golders Green for the Lib Dems from Conservative Mike Freer, but she too failed to get over the line.
Before they fade into obscurity, here’s a rundown of some names you might not hear again for a while...
Luciana BergerSeat: Finchley and Golders Green
Defection: Labour to Change UK to Independent to Liberal DemocratsWhatever the outcome tonight, I couldn’t have asked for a more incredible team. To every single person that has joined us over the past 10 weeks - you are all 🦸♀️ 🦸♂️ It’s been phenomenal. Today nearly 400 people came to knock on >32,000 doors. From the bottom of my 🧡- THANK YOU🙏— Luciana Berger (@lucianaberger) December 12, 2019Result: Despite a positive showing from BBC’s exit poll analysis, she failed to win the seat from Mike Freer. She took 17,600 votes to Freer’s 24,162. Sarah WollastonSeat: TotnesDefection: Conservative to Change UK to independent to Liberal DemocratsThis
election the choice couldn’t be more stark. If we wake up on Friday to a Conservative landslide there will be nothing ‘One Nation’ about the government with a free hand to do as they please and no mechanisms that they will respect to be held to account.— dr Sarah Wollaston (@sarahwollaston) December 12, 2019Result: A Conservative hold – Wollaston’s gamble was a failure with 15,027 votes to Anthony Mangnall’s 27,751. Mike GapesSeat: Ilford South
Defection: Labour to Change UKI was a Labour candidate in Ilford North in 1983 when under the decent patriotic Michael Foot we had a terrible result. It looks like Corbyn will drag Labour down to an even worse result than 1983 tonight.— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) December 12, 2019Result: A Labour hold – Gapes’s gamble was a failure, after Labour’s Sam Tarry stormed to victory with a majority of 24,137 to Gapes’s 3,891.
Sam GyimahSeat: Kensington
Defection: Conservative to independent to Liberal DemocratsUse your vote to send a message for the values of Remain - for an open, tolerant and prosperous Britain. In Kensington, your vote could decide the election. Use it to elect a committed Remain MP. #SamForKen#GE2019pic.twitter.com/jULBsVAvuM— Sam Gyimah 🔶 (@SamGyimah) December 12, 2019Result: Tory candidate Felicity Buchan won with 16,768 votes, while Gyimah received 9,312.
Chris Leslie Seat: Nottingham East
Defection: Labour to Change UKWhat a beautiful day for an election! Whose idea was this anyway? #libdems#snp#labourpic.twitter.com/AigazE2mpf— Chris Leslie (@ChrisLeslieUK) December 12, 2019Result: A Labour gain – Leslie’s gamble was a failure with just 1,447 votes.
Gavin ShukerSeat: Luton South
Defection: Labour to Change UK to independent Thank you to everyone today who cast their votes for me in Luton South. Also to our amazing team who have run a cracking campaign. #GE19pic.twitter.com/t9lP8Z7Flq— Gavin Shuker (@gavinshuker) December 12, 2019Result: A Labour hold – Shuker’s gamble was a failure with 3,893 votes.
Angela Smith Seat: Penistone and Stocksbridge
Defection: Labour to Change UK to independent to Liberal DemocratsOnly the LibDems can beat the Tories in Altrincham and Sale West. Only the LibDems can attract voters from both Labour and the Tories in numbers sufficient to build a winning position. pic.twitter.com/HKLUh6I5sa— Angela Smith (@angelasmithmp) December 6, 2019Result: Smith lost in Altrincham and Sale West.
Chuka UmunnaSeat: Cities of
London and Westminster
Defection: Labour to Change UK to independent to Liberal Democrats If there are queues at your polling station, don't turn away. You've still got time to vote and make your voice heard. Don't regret missing your chance to send a message to
Boris Johnson and vote @LibDems in the Cities of London & Westminster #StopBrexitpic.twitter.com/Mz2Ag2NTbu— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) December 12, 2019Result: Conservative hold – Ummuna’s gamble did not pay off with 13,096 votes.
Phillip LeeSeat: Wokingham
Defection: Conservatives to Liberal DemocratsUndecided in #Wokingham constituency? Feel the Tories have been taking you for granted for the last 32 years? Spend 5 minutes voting for me today - and I'll spend 5 years working hard for you #UKElections2019#UKElection#LibDemSurgepic.twitter.com/gZmtHIEZ44— Dr Phillip Lee 🔶 (@DrPhillipLee) December 12, 2019Result: A Conservative hold – Lee’s gamble amounting 23,351 votes was a failure.
Ann CoffeySeat: Stockport
Defection: Labour to Change UKGood fun campaigning with @AnnCoffey for #PeoplesVote@Anna_Soubry in Broxtowe pic.twitter.com/XnvIhf4M6T— Andrea Cooper (@AndreaCooperUK) November 23, 2019Result: A Labour hold – Coffey’s gamble was a failure. Antoinette SandbachSeat: Eddisbury Defection: Conservatives to independent to Liberal DemocratsI want to say thank you for the support I have had. On December 12th vote #Sandbach vote #LibDem#GE2109pic.twitter.com/5JPd81e13g— Antoinette Sandbach (@Sandbach) December 12, 2019Result: A Conservative hold – Sandbach’s gamble was a failure, finishing a distant third with 9,582 votes.