Try GOLD - Free
Ex-MP's move to Greens is Labour's biggest defection
The Independent
|November 21, 2025
The former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle has defected to the Greens - the party's biggest defection to date.
From 2017 to 2024 Mr Russell-Moyle represented the Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency, which neighbours the longstanding Green seat of Brighton Pavilion. In a statement, he took aim at the direction of his old party, saying it had “left behind millions of people who want hope and want to see change in their lives”.
“For almost 10 years I worked alongside Caroline [Lucas] as the MP next door”, he said. “My old party has left behind millions of people who want hope and want to see change in their lives, their communities and the world around them. In the Greens I see a party that is offering that. In the Greens I see a party I have worked with for years, and I am making the jump to join them today. I urge others to do so too.”
This story is from the November 21, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent
The Independent
Gimmicks get in the way of Mahmood's migration record
How did home secretary Shabana Mahmood choose to blow her own trumpet at a record number of illegal worker arrests and raids since Labour came to power?
3 mins
January 14, 2026
The Independent
Le Pen presidential bid at stake as appeal case begins
France’s former far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, appeared in court yesterday to appeal an embezzlement conviction, a case whose outcome could significantly impact her 2027 presidential ambitions. The 57-year-old is challenging a March ruling that found her guilty of misusing European parliament funds.
3 mins
January 14, 2026
The Independent
Iran's clerical elite faces gravest threat since 1979
Can the hardline religious leaders in Tehran, used to periodic uprisings and dissent, survive these protests
5 mins
January 14, 2026
The Independent
THRONE OF BLOOD
'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' is a puerile 'Game of Thrones' prequel, dripping in bodily fluid
2 mins
January 14, 2026
The Independent
A lucky shot against Alcaraz could earn amateur £500k
One Point Slam pits everyday players against best in world
3 mins
January 14, 2026
The Independent
Vance to host talks with Denmark over Greenland
Vice-president has called for US to take over Nato territory
2 mins
January 14, 2026
The Independent
Trump issues threats as Iran prepares to hang protester
Donald Trump has sent a message to Iranian protesters that “help is on its way” as unrest grips the country during a deadly crackdown on dissent.
3 mins
January 14, 2026
The Independent
Streeting: Labour must start getting it right first time
Wes Streeting has admitted the government should try to “get it right first time”, amid criticism prompted by a series of recent U-turns.
2 mins
January 14, 2026
The Independent
Ofcom has the tools to hold Musk to account over Grok
The speed and scale at which Elon Musk's AI image generator, Grok, has been weaponised over the last week or more to humiliate and harass people has been shocking.
3 mins
January 14, 2026
The Independent
Labour drops compulsory element of digital ID plan
Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly scrapped plans for a compulsory digital identity scheme for workers following opposition to the idea from across the political divide.
2 mins
January 14, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size