TWITTER users have been reminding new LibDem MP Chuka Umunna of some old tweets criticising the party – including a claim he "couldn't forgive them" for austerity.
Various old tweets from the former Labour and Change UK politician were resurfaced after Umunna announced he would be representing a third party in the space of a year.
One post from Umunna, which has now gone viral, read: "I could never ever countenance suggesting voters support Liberal Democrat or Conservative candidates on account of their Remain credentials – this would require turning a blind eye to the cuts to our local schools, the NHS and other public services instigated by both parties in Government from 2010 to 2015 and carried on by the Tories alone since 2015, which all our communities are now suffering from.”
Whatever common ground we may have with LibDems & some Tories on Brexit I can't forgive what they've done to my area https://t.co/hMq7DEejah pic.twitter.com/vtvPzpBDE3
— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) April 24, 2017
In another previous tweet from 2013, Umunna said: "Vince Cable talks about increasing the minimum wage, but you can't trust a word the Lib Dems say."
READ MORE: Change UK forced to change name again after legal threat
In a Times interview with Cable announcing his move, Umunna said he had been "wrong" to believe the UK needed a new political party.
He was one of several Labour and Tory MPs who quit the parties in February to form the anti-Brexit Change UK, which was originally known as the Independent Group and has now applied to change its name to The Independent Group for Change.
After the Streatham MP tweeted about his latest switch, some urged him to call a byelection.
Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery responded: "Whey aye Chuka....we believe you we really do! Three parties in as many months....who's next ?
"Put your immense popularity to the good people of Streatham...let's have a PV (people's vote) on you and your principles."
When asked by the Times if he was prepared for a backlash from his former colleagues, Umunna said: "I've got a pretty thick skin."
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