Change UK politician, Chuka Umuna, who set up the party after defecting from Labour in February, has expressed his disappointment after a member of his party left to join the Liberal Democrats.
David McDonald, who was representing Change UK in East Renfrewshire, Scotland, left the party today saying he had to do "what is best" adding that he feared his presence could split the Remain vote.
Speaking in Holyrood, Edinburgh, McDonald admitted that his decision had come after a great deal of reflection on the issues that affected Scotland the most.
It has been an honour to be the lead candidate for Change UK for election to the European Parliament for the Scotland electoral region.
This new party is genuinely a force for good in British politics.
After a great deal of reflection on the political landscape we are facing in Scotland at present, I have come to the point where I have realised that I must do what is best for the future of the country before anything else.
If things continue as they the Remain vote will split in Scotland and put at risk the representation that supporters of remaining in the EU so collectively desire.
For that reason, I have decided to end my candidacy for Change UK effective immediately.
I am now calling for those in favour of remaining in the European Union, including all supporters of Change UK in Scotland, to do what is best for our collective voice in Europe and to support the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the upcoming European election, to better ensure that they gain representation to secure a seat in these European Elections.
In response, to McDonald's resignation, Umunna said it was "disappointing that his candidate has chosen to pledge allegiance to another party - he has let down his fellow candidates and activists".
My word. Change UK’s number one Euro candidate in Scotland, David MacDonald, has quit to back the Lib Dems. Chuka U… https://t.co/asZWH6H6i9— Kevin Schofield (@Kevin Schofield) 1557911076
Umunna's statement comes just a handful of months after he and several other Labour and Tory MP's left their respective party's over their stance on Brexit and in the hope that they could convince Remain voters to migrate over to them.
However, in light of Umunna's words about McDonald's resignation, many people on Twitter have been quick to point out the irony of his statement.
It's bad to let down your party colleagues by defecting, says Chuka Umunna. https://t.co/6SPFmQEYy6— Adam Bienkov (@Adam Bienkov) 1557911411
In which Chuka Umunna condemns someone for defecting from a political party because it lets down colleagues and act… https://t.co/C1Z2qL4DG6— Owen Jones 🌹 (@Owen Jones 🌹) 1557913548
Maybe, just maybe, Mr Umunna should've stopped and thought first before publicly condemning a political figure chan… https://t.co/iniSNUTDzG— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin Maguire) 1557911901
Chuka Umunna opining that someone who leaves his own party for another has “let down his fellow candidates and acti… https://t.co/X66vlvQnFL— The Poisonous Euros Atmosphere Fan (@The Poisonous Euros Atmosphere Fan) 1557914012
Besides the initial reactions of irony, there was also a few jokes.
@AdamBienkov @JayMcKenna87 my irony meter just exploded— Steffi Thompson🏴 🇵🇸 (@Steffi Thompson🏴 🇵🇸) 1557911818
@AdamBienkov @AndrewBartletta https://t.co/uH9nYs6oDi— UpperGwladysBlue (@UpperGwladysBlue) 1557911725
This is like if 90s Shawn Michaels criticised Low Ki for not doing jobs https://t.co/edizemfzl4— The Puro Pourri Podcast (@The Puro Pourri Podcast) 1557912776
Chuka Umunna opining that someone who leaves his own party for another has “let down his fellow candidates and acti… https://t.co/X66vlvQnFL— The Poisonous Euros Atmosphere Fan (@The Poisonous Euros Atmosphere Fan) 1557914012