Amid all the drama of the Brexit vote, it was set to be a big day for The Independent Group, a gang of MPs who resigned from Labour and the Conservatives to fix Britain’s “broken politics”.
So it’s fair to assume the members of TIG had their heads in their hands when, just minutes after they announced to the world their plans to form a new political party – ChangeUK – one of their leading MPs got the name wrong in parliament.
Taking to her feet in the Commons on Friday to proudly explain why she wouldn’t be voting for Theresa May’s Brexit deal, former Tory Anna Soubry said she was a member of “Change.org”. (Yes, the petition website.)
“I’m delighted that the group that I have joined with members formerly of the Labour Party has formed itself into a new political party that will change the face and direction of British politics,” Soubry said.
“That is why we call ourselves Change.org and that is what I believe the British people are calling out for.”
The Broxtowe MP’s slip-of-the-tongue could not have come at a worse time, with Change.org already angry at the group’s choice of party name.
“It’s said that imitation is a form of flattery,” the organisation said in a statement.
“But the movement we’ve built in the UK to win campaigns for ordinary people is ours – all 17 million of us. We are seeking guidance on the proposed use of our brand name by those reported to be setting up a new political party.”