Luciana Berger has joined the Liberal Democrats, seven months after she quit Labour over antisemitic bullying.
In a message on social media on Thursday she said she was joining leader Jo Swinson’s party “to stop Brexit, fight for equality and a fairer country.”
She also said that she did not know what she will do at the next general election but did not expect to stand in her current constituency of Liverpool Wavertree.
I am very pleased to announce that I have joined @joswinson and the @LibDems, the strongest party to stop brexit, fight for equality and a fairer country.
— Luciana Berger (@lucianaberger) September 5, 2019
She had quit Labour in February in a high-profile move after citing institutional antisemitism in Jeremy Corbyn’s party.
She then sat with seven other Labour MPs who also left the party as independents forming the Change UK party. She later quite the faltering new party to sit as an independent.
Ms Berger told the JC on Thursday she had decided to join the Lib Dems to ensure she could “continue to make a difference” in the political arena.
She said she finally decided to make the move this summer because it would give her more influence to prevent a “catastrophic” No Deal Brexit.
“It is a crunch moment for our country and we all have a responsibility to step up,” said the 38-year-old MP.
“I got into politics to make a difference and I want to make every moment count.”
Speculation mounted that Ms Berger could next stand as a Lib Dem candidate in a north London seat – but she is believed to be awaiting guidance from her new party over her next move.
Earlier this year Ms Berger, who became an MP in 2010, she had become "embarrassed and ashamed to remain in the Labour Party" after she was the target of antisemitic abuse and was provided with personal protection at last year's party conference.
But she said that during the past six months, while she has been on maternity leave, she also realised that the public were not as responsive to the aims of Change UK - the new party formed by MPs who quit the Tories and Labour - as she hoped.
“It became clear there was not a groundswell of support for something new at that time. I did my best, but it was hard with a newborn child,” she told the Evening Standard on Wednesday.
The MP also revealed she and Ms Swinson knew each other from speaking between debates at Westminster.
“I am so delighted and proud to welcome you to the Lib Dems,” said Ms Swinson in a tweet.
“So looking forward to working together to stop Brexit, fight for equality and build a fairer society for all.”
