Chuka Umunna is trying to position himself as a leading figure in the newly formed Independent Group (TIG). Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sky News, Umunna said he wants “to play the biggest role in this group” on 24 February.
But unfortunately for TIG’s self-styled No1, some really awkward footage from 2017 has emerged. And it suggests that Umunna must be either a willing self-saboteur or full of shit. Neither of which puts him in particularly good stead for a top role in TIG or his constituency.
Three Thank Yous
The Labour Party saw its biggest voteshare increase since 1945 in the 2017 general election. And following that victory, as journalist Owen Jones pointed out, Umunna posted a ‘thank you’ video on Twitter:
Elections are a team effort, and so a massive thanks to my constituents, local party, and the national Labour team. I won't let you down! pic.twitter.com/xoXspy7YFu
— ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) June 15, 2017
In the video, the MP gives “Three Thank Yous”. Firstly, he thanks his constituents for giving him “the honour and privilege” to represent Streatham. Umunna continues:
Secondly, you don’t just get elected through the efforts of an individual. It’s a group effort and we had an incredible Labour team locally… [which] pulled out all the stops.
Finally, the MP thanked none other than Jeremy Corbyn, who he said led a “fantastic” national campaign. According to Umunna, Corbyn’s campaign:
presented hope, optimism, a sense that life doesn’t have to be like this.
About face
So, Umunna explicitly acknowledges in the video that his election was a “group effort”. He expresses gratitude to both the constituency Labour Party (CLP) and the leadership for getting him back into parliament in that election. But Umunna has now quit Labour to form TIG, claiming he’s “sick and tired of politics as usual”. He’s relinquished the party machinery which, he says, enabled him to win. Isn’t that an act of self-sabotage?
Not everyone appears to think so. Some who responded to the video came to a different conclusion:
This is very clear message. Never trust #ChukaUmunna
— sarah cameron (@sarahcam3ron) February 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/coldblowlaner/status/1100013946566856704
https://twitter.com/jamesrevolts/status/1099991685906485249
Others, meanwhile, pointed out that’s not the only example of Umunna’s past words jarring with his current actions:
See also… https://t.co/rZUJ84utj3
— Emma Jones (she/her) 🧡 😷 🍉 (@visitingmartian) February 25, 2019
— Emma Jones (she/her) 🧡 😷 🍉 (@visitingmartian) February 25, 2019
Choices, choices
A number of commenters on the video did, however, argue that Umunna has a right to change his mind. Of course, he does. If he’s not “the least genuine person in politics” and just no longer holds this glowing opinion of Labour, then fine. But people put him in parliament on a Labour ticket. And they too have a right to change their mind about whether they want him to represent them after his apparent change of heart.
So, regardless of his self-sabotaging, or bullshitting, credentials, this video makes one thing crystal clear: the people of Streatham deserve a byelection. Oh, and another thing. TIG would probably be wise to hold off on deciding who’s top dog for now.
Featured image via Twitter/screengrab
