MPs form cross-party alliance to tackle ‘issues ignored because of Brexit’
2 min read
Dozens of MPs have formed an alliance in Parliament to tackle common causes which they say have been "ignored" because of Brexit.
Around 50 MPs from seven different parties have joined the Commons grouping of the ‘More United’ campaign in order to work “in the national interest, no matter which party is in power”.
The movement, which was formed on the back of the 2016 vote to leave the European Union, has attracted over 150,000 members and lobbies MPs through digital technology.
The group said MPs in the newly-established network will lead campaigns on issues such as poverty and homelessness, responsible technology, mental health and climate change.
The campaign has vowed to capitalise on the "clear appetite" of the public to use online petitions, and has vowed to attract more than 250,000 members, including 100 MPs by next year.
Those who lead and support More United campaigns will also be eligible for money raised by the wider campaign at general elections - with almost £500,000 given out to supportive candidates via crowdfunding in 2017.
Conservative former minister Nicky Morgan and Labour's David Lammy are among the group, which also includes figures from the SNP, Change UK, the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and the Greens' Caroline Lucas.
More United CEO Bess Mayhew said: “People see cross-party working as a proxy for trust in politics. When polling shows that only three out of ten people believe they can make a difference by getting involved in politics something has to change.
"By uniting MPs who can find common ground on divisive issues we want to show there is a way to move Britain forward and work together to build a fair and thriving country.”
Ms Morgan, who is also chair of the Treasury Committee, said: “All MPs come in to politics because they want to improve the lives of the people they represent.
“Of course we don’t always agree on how to do that but where we can find agreement across party lines there is often a compelling case to be made to the government of the day.
“The More United Network will give MPs across the Commons a chance to do just that.”
Mr Lammy added: "A rare silver-lining to come out of the disastrous Brexit process is a new willingness among MPs to cooperate beyond traditional tribal loyalties.
"MPs have found that there is a special power in cross-party working and by publicly committing to seek out strong alliances that protect shared values we can help create positive changes that benefit the entire country."
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