List of British politicians who have crossed the floor

Members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, British members of the European Parliament, and members of the British devolved assemblies sometimes cross the floor and abandon a previous party membership to take up a new one. The following list details the dates, members involved, previous and new party affiliations, and an explanation for their switch. In addition, this list notes MPs who have lost or resigned a party whip to become independent, or moved from being independent to taking a party whip.

Contents

List of Members of Parliament who have crossed the floor

Date Member Before After Notes

MPs 1680-1832
1698 John Grubham Howe Whig Tory
1707 Sir Robert Harley Whig Tory
1725 John Montagu, Viscount Hinchingbrooke Whig Tory
1725 Sir William Pulteney Whig Tory
1793 William Windham Whig Independent
1795 Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh Whig Tory
1795 Thomas Pelham Whig Tory
1810 Charles Watkin Wiliams-Wynn Whig Tory Tried to create a third political party, failed and joined the Tories.
1828 Charles Watkin Wiliams-Wynn Tory Whig Wasn't offered a position in Government.
1834 Charles Watkin Wiliams-Wynn Whig Tory Offered position in Government.

1832–1837 Parliament
1834 Lord George Bentinck Whig Conservative
1837 Sir James Robert George Graham, 2nd Baronet Whig Conservative Resigned as First Lord of the Admiralty
1837 Lord Stanley Whig Conservative Resigned as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies

1847-1886 Parliaments
1847 Sir John Young, 2nd Baronet Conservative Peelite
1853 Sir John Young, 2nd Baronet Peelite Conservative
1868 Edward James Saunderson Liberal Conservative

1886–1900 Parliaments
1886 The Rt Hon. Joseph Chamberlain Liberal Liberal Unionist Created the Liberal Unionist Party after disagreeing with William Gladstone and splitting over Home Rule for Ireland and was the President of the Board of Trade until his defection.
1886 The Rt Hon. Sir Henry James Liberal Liberal Unionist Was the Attorney-General until his defection.
1886 The Rt Hon. Edward Heneage Liberal Liberal Unionist Was the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster until his defection.
1886 The Rt Hon. Sir George Otto Trevelyan, 2nd Baronet Liberal Liberal Unionist Was the Secretary for Scotland until his defection.
1886 Leonard Courtney Liberal Liberal Unionist Chairman of Ways and Means 1886-1893
1886 Lieutenant General Sir Henry Havelock-Allan, 1st Baronet VC, GCB, DL Liberal Liberal Unionist Was the Colonel of the Royal Irish Regiment from 1895-1897 until he was killed in battle in 1897 whilst serving as an MP.
1886 John Corbett Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 William Cornwallis-West Liberal Liberal Unionist Lord-Lieutenant of Denbighshire 1872-1917
1886 Sir William Crossman Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir Donald Currie Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 George Dixon Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir Henry James Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Viscount Wolmer Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Viscount Ebrington Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Viscount Howick Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Viscount Baring Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Viscount Lambton Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Lord Richard Grosvenor Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Lord Edward Cavendish Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir Thomas Fraser Grove, 1st Baronet Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir Robert Jardine, 1st Baronet Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir Savile Brinton Crossley, 2nd Baronet Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir John St Aubyn, 2nd Baronet Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Hon. Hugh Elliot Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 The Hon. Arthur Elliot Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir Andrew Fairbairn Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir Charles Seely Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir Henry Wiggin Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 John Lubbock Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Francis Taylor Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Jesse Collings Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 George Dixon Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 William Kenrick Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Cathcart Wason Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Lewis Fry Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 John Corbett Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Richard Biddulph Martin Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Sir John Pender Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 George Pitt-Lewis Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Alfred Barnes Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Richard Chamberlain Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Francis Bingham Mildmay Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Hamar Alfred Bass Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 William Pirrie Sinclair Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Robert Thornhagh Gurdon Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Charles Fraser-Mackintosh Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Lewis Fry Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 George Hastings Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Henry Howard Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Joseph Powell-Williams Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Thomas Richardson Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Peter Rylands Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 John Bright Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Jesse Collings Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 James William Barclay Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Alfred Barnes Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Michael Biddulph Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Nevil Story Maskelyne Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Edmond Wodehouse Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 William Sproston Caine Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Greville Richard Vernon Liberal Liberal Unionist
1888 Henry Wentworth-FitzWilliam Liberal Liberal Unionist
1888 Robert Cunninghame-Graham Liberal Independent
1893 George Joachim Goschen Liberal Unionist Conservative

1900–1906 Parliament
1902 Cathcart Wason Liberal Unionist Independent Stood as an independent
1904 Winston Churchill Conservative Liberal  

1906–1918 Parliaments
1909 Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Kincaid-Smith Liberal Independent Stood as an independent
1909 Carlyon Wilfroy Bellairs Liberal Conservative  
1910 Rt Hon. Frederick Edward Guest Liberal Conservative
1912 George Ambrose Lloyd Liberal Unionist Conservative
1917 Sir Richard Cooper, 2nd Baronet Conservative Independent Those who defected in 1917 actually joined the National Party, but before the General Election of 1918 all members apart from Croft and Cooper had returned to the Conservatives or had lost their seats.
1917 Sir Henry Page Croft Conservative Independent  
1917 Lt Col. Richard Hamilton Rawson Conservative Independent  
1917 Sir Alan Hughes Burgoyne Conservative Independent  
1917 Lt Col. The Hon. Douglas George Carnegie Conservative Independent  
1917 Viscount Duncannon Conservative Independent  
1917 Sir Rowland Hunt Liberal Unionist Independent  
1917 Captain The Hon. Edward Fitzroy Liberal Unionist Independent  

1918–1922 Parliament
1918 George Nicoll Barnes Labour Independent Had refused to resign from the Lloyd George Coalition
1919 Cecil L'Estrange Malone Liberal Independent Subsequently joined the Communist Party of Great Britain.
1920 Sir Oswald Mosley, Bt Conservative Independent Left over the Conservative Party's Irish policy, specifically the use of Black and Tans.

1922–1923 Parliament
1923 Gordon Ralph Hall Caine Independent Conservative

1924–1929 Parliament
1924 Oswald Mosley Independent Labour  
1926 Alfred Mond Liberal Conservative Defected after falling out with Lloyd George
1927 Leslie Haden-Guest Labour Independent Resigned over China and tried to stand as an Independent.
1929 Sir Sydney Frank Markham Labour National Labour Later joined the Conservative Party, and became a Conservative MP in 1950

1929–1931 Parliament
1931 Sir Oswald Mosley, 6th Baronet Labour New Party Created the New Party
1931 Lady Cynthia Mosley Labour New Party Joined the New Party
1931 Oliver Baldwin Labour New Party Joined the New Party but left after one day and sat as an independent instead
1931 Robert Forgan Labour New Party Joined the New Party
February 1931 John Strachey Labour New Party Joined the New Party
1931 W. E. D. Allen Ulster Unionist New Party Joined the New Party
1931 Cecil Dudgeon Liberal New Party Joined the New Party
1931 Oliver Baldwin New Party Independent Joined the but left after one day and sat as an independent instead
June 1931 John Strachey New Party Independent Didn't agree with the parties drift towards fascism

1935–1945 Parliament
1935 Katharine Stewart-Murray, Duchess of Atholl Conservative Independent Resigned Whip over the India Bill and the "socialist tendency" of the government's domestic policy.
1937 Katharine Stewart-Murray, Duchess of Atholl Conservative Independent Resigned Whip over Anglo-Italian Agreement
1938 Katharine Stewart-Murray, Duchess of Atholl Conservative Independent Resigned a third time, this time to stand as an Independent in opposition to Neville Chamberlain's policy of appeasement of Adolf Hitler
1939 Clement Davies Liberal National Independent
November 1939 Aneurin Bevan Labour Independent Expelled from the Labour Party for seven months for supporting a "popular front"
November 1939 Sir Stafford Cripps Labour Independent Expelled from the Labour Party for seven months for supporting a "popular front"
November 1939 George Strauss Labour Independent Expelled from the Labour Party for seven months for supporting a "popular front"
November 1939 Sir Charles Trevelyan, 3rd Baronet Labour Independent Expelled from the Labour Party for seven months for supporting a "popular front"
1941 Sir William Feilden, 1st Baronet Liberal Conservative
1942 Murdoch Macdonald Liberal National Independent
1942 Edgar Granville Liberal National Independent
February 1942 Stephen King-Hall National Labour Independent Opposed the party's considerations in wartime
July 1942 Sir Richard Acland Liberal Common Wealth Formed the Common Wealth Party after a merger of the 1941 Committee and the Forward March movement
July 1942 Vernon Bartlett Independent Progressive Common Wealth Fought the 1945 general election as an independent
May 1943 Kenneth Lindsay National Labour Independent
November 1944 John Eric Loverseed Common Wealth Independent Later joined the Labour Party

1945–1950 Parliament
1945 Edgar Granville Independent Liberal
22 April 1946 Ernest Millington Common Wealth Labour  
21 October 1946 Tom Horabin Liberal Independent Declared support for the Labour government, and took the Labour whip on 18 November 1947.
26 March 1947 John McGovern Ind. Labour Party Labour  
23 July 1947 Rev Campbell Stephen Ind. Labour Party Independent Granted the Labour whip on 21 October 1947.
29 October 1947 James Carmichael Ind. Labour Party Independent Granted the Labour whip on 3 November 1947.
4 November 1947 Evelyn Walkden Labour Independent Following censure by the House for his conduct.
March 1948 John Mackie Independent Conservative  
28 April 1948 John Platts-Mills Labour Independent Expelled from party for sending supportive telegram to Pietro Nenni, Italian socialist allied with the Communists.
16 May 1948 Alfred Edwards Labour Conservative Expelled from party for opposition to nationalisation of steel. Granted the Conservative whip on 19 August 1949.
26 October 1948 Ivor Thomas Labour Conservative Resigned due to opposition to nationalisation of steel. Granted the Conservative whip on 3 January 1949.
3 October 1948 Eric Gandar Dower Conservative Independent Dispute with local association.
18 May 1949 Leslie Solley Labour Independent Expelled from party for persistently opposing government policies.
18 May 1948 Denis Nowell Pritt Labour Independent Expelled from party for persistently opposing government policies.
18 May 1949 Konni Zilliacus Labour Independent Expelled from party for persistently opposing government policies.
27 July 1948 Lester Hutchinson Labour Independent Expelled from party for opposition to government foreign policy.

1950–1951 Parliament
4 August 1950 Raymond Blackburn Labour Independent Called for Winston Churchill to be Prime Minister in a Coalition government.
May 1951 John MacLeod Independent Liberal National
1951 Sir Arthur Salter Independent Conservative

1951–1955 Parliament
2 June 1954 Sir John Mellor Conservative Independent Resigned whip over increase in MPs' salaries (Mellor was opposed). Whip restored 14 July 1954.
14 July 1954 Sir Harry Legge-Bourke Conservative Independent Opposed to policy of withdrawing British base in Suez canal zone. Whip restored 18 October 1954.
23 November 1954 S. O. Davies Labour Independent Whip withdrawn after breaking the whip over German rearmament.
23 November 1954 George Craddock Labour Independent Whip withdrawn after breaking the whip over German rearmament.
23 November 1954 Ernest Fernyhough Labour Independent Whip withdrawn after breaking the whip over German rearmament.
23 November 1954 Emrys Hughes Labour Independent Whip withdrawn after breaking the whip over German rearmament.
23 November 1954 Sydney Silverman Labour Independent Whip withdrawn after breaking the whip over German rearmament.
23 November 1954 Victor Yates Labour Independent Whip withdrawn after breaking the whip over German rearmament.
23 November 1954 John McGovern Labour Independent Whip withdrawn after breaking the whip over German rearmament.
10 March 1955 Sir Richard Acland, Bt. Labour Independent Opposed to party policy on nuclear arms. Simultaneously resigned his seat in order to seek re-election.
16 March 1955 Aneurin Bevan Labour Independent Whip withdrawn for challenging the authority of Party leader. Whip restored 28 April 1955.

1955–1959 Parliament
8 November 1956 Colonel Cyril Banks Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis (Banks was friendly with Egypt). The whip was restored on 19 December 1958.
13 May 1957 The Hon. Patrick Maitland Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis, wanting UK involvement in Suez to continue (whip restored 23 December 1957)
13 May 1957 John Biggs-Davison Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis, wanting UK involvement in Suez to continue (whip restored 11 July 1958)
13 May 1957 Anthony Fell Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis, wanting UK involvement in Suez to continue (whip restored 11 July 1958)
13 May 1957 Viscount Hinchingbrooke Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis, wanting UK involvement in Suez to continue (whip restored 11 July 1958)
13 May 1957 Lawrence Turner Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis, wanting UK involvement in Suez to continue (whip restored 11 July 1958)
13 May 1957 Paul Williams Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis, wanting UK involvement in Suez to continue (whip restored 11 July 1958)
13 May 1957 Angus Maude Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis, wanting UK involvement in Suez to continue and subsequently resigned their seat.
13 May 1957 Sir Victor Raikes Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis, wanting UK involvement in Suez to continue and subsequently resigned their seat.
14 November 1957 Sir Frank Medlicott Conservative Independent Resigned whip over the Suez Crisis (Medlicott was opposed to the invasion). Whip restored 21 November 1958.
30 January 1959 Sir David Robertson Conservative Independent Resigned whip over policy on the Scottish highlands.

1959–1964 Parliament
16 March 1961 William Baxter Labour Independent Whip withdrawn for voting against the Army estimates.
16 March 1961 S. O. Davies Labour Independent Whip withdrawn for voting against the Army estimates.
16 March 1961 Michael Foot Labour Independent Whip withdrawn for voting against the Army estimates.
16 March 1961 Emrys Hughes Labour Independent Whip withdrawn for voting against the Army estimates.
16 March 1961 Sydney Silverman Labour Independent Whip withdrawn for voting against the Army estimates.
22 March 1961 Alan Brown Labour Independent Opposed to party defence policy.
22 March 1961 Konni Zilliacus Labour Independent Whip suspended until January 1962 for writing critical article in Communist publication.
19 October 1961 Sir William Duthie Conservative Independent Resigned whip over policy on salmon fishing industry. The whip was restored on 15 November 1963.
4 May 1962 Alan Brown Independent Conservative  
23 January 1964 Dr Donald Johnson Conservative Independent Dispute with local party.

1964–1966 Parliament
1964 Joan Vickers Liberal National Conservative Party disbanded

1966–1970 Parliament
10 July 1966 Geoffrey Hirst Conservative Independent Conservative Failed to persuade party to vote against Prices and Incomes Bill.
8 December 1966 Reginald Paget Labour Independent Resigned the whip because of opposition to United Nations sanctions on Rhodesia. The whip was restored on 15 June 1967.
1966 Sir Julian Ridsdale Liberal National Conservative Party disbanded
1966 David Renton Liberal National Conservative Party disbanded
1968 Sir John Nott Liberal National Conservative Party disbanded
18 January 1968 Desmond Donnelly Labour Independent Opposed to defence cuts 'east of Suez', later joined the Conservative Party.
31 January 1968 Frank Allaun Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968. The all the MPs had abstained on 18 January 1968 on a vote on spending cuts; All listed below were also suspended
31 January 1968 Norman Atkinson Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Albert Booth Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 James Dickens Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 S. O. Davies Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Michael Foot Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Will Griffiths Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Dr John Dunwoody Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Eric Heffer Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Willie Hamilton Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Emrys Hughes Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Peter Jackson Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Anne Kerr Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Russell Kerr Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Malcolm Macmillan Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 John Mendelson Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Stanley Newens Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Christopher Norwood Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Stan Orme Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Trevor Park Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 John Ryan Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Sydney Silverman Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Tom Swain Labour Independent Labour Whip suspended from 31 January 1968 to 29 February 1968.
31 January 1968 Carol Johnson Labour Independent Labour Had abstained in protest at the Whips' lack of disciplinary action.

1970–1974 Parliament
24 August 1970 Gerry Fitt Republican Labour SDLP Formed new party.
30 September 1971 Ian Paisley Protestant Unionist Democratic Unionist Protestant Unionists merged into new party.
16 February 1972 Ray Gunter Labour Independent Labour Opposed to take-over of party by middle-class intellectuals.[1]
6 October 1972 Dick Taverne Labour Democratic Labour Dispute with local party. Simultaneously resigned seat to seek re-election.
29 April 1973 Stratton Mills Conservative Alliance  

1974 Parliament
9 July 1974 Christopher Mayhew Labour Liberal Believed Labour was too vulnerable to left takeover.

1974–1979 Parliament
11 October 1975 John Dunlop Vanguard United Ulster Unionist Split with leadership over proposal for voluntary power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
1975 James Kilfedder Ulster Unionist Independent Unionist Opposed to the growth of support for the full integration of Northern Ireland into the United Kingdom, remained committed to devolution.
19 November 1975 Robert Bradford Vanguard Ulster Unionist Opposed to power-sharing.
7 April 1976 John Stonehouse Labour Independent Believed new Prime Minister James Callaghan did not have a mandate.
14 April 1976 John Stonehouse Independent English National  
26 July 1976 Jim Sillars Labour Scottish Labour Formed rebel party earlier; resigned Labour whip over public spending cuts.
26 July 1976 John Robertson Labour Scottish Labour Formed rebel party earlier; resigned Labour whip over public spending cuts.
8 October 1977 Reg Prentice Labour Conservative Believed Labour should be defeated at the next election.
26 November 1977 William Craig Vanguard Ulster Unionist Party wound up.

1979–1983 Parliament
24 August 1979 Gerry Fitt SDLP Independent Socialist Dispute with party over talks process.
17 January 1980 James Kilfedder Independent Unionist Ulster Progressive Unionist Party Formed party (renamed 'Ulster Popular Unionist Party' in March 1980).
20 February 1981 Richard Crawshaw Labour Social Democrat Resigned whip prior to launch of new party, which he joined on 2 March 1981.
20 February 1981 Tom Ellis Labour Social Democrat Resigned whip prior to launch of new party, which he joined on 2 March 1981.
2 March 1981 John Cartwright Labour Social Democrat Formed new party.
2 March 1981 John Horam Labour Social Democrat Formed new party.
2 March 1981 Robert Maclennan Labour Social Democrat Formed new party.
2 March 1981 John Roper Labour Social Democrat Formed new party.
2 March 1981 David Owen Labour Social Democrat Formed new party.
2 March 1981 Bill Rodgers Labour Social Democrat Formed new party.
2 March 1981 Neville Sandelson Labour Social Democrat Formed new party.
2 March 1981 Mike Thomas Labour Social Democrat Formed new party.
2 March 1981 Ian Wrigglesworth Labour Social Democrat Formed new party.
16 March 1981 Christopher Brocklebank-Fowler Conservative Social Democrat  
19 March 1981 Edward Lyons Labour Social Democrat  
4 July 1981 James Wellbeloved Labour Social Democrat  
7 September 1981 Michael O'Halloran Labour Social Democrat  
1 October 1981 Dr Dickson Mabon Labour Social Democrat  
5 October 1981 Bob Mitchell Labour Social Democrat  
6 October 1981 David Ginsburg Labour Social Democrat  
7 October 1981 James Dunn Labour Social Democrat  
7 October 1981 Tom McNally Labour Social Democrat  
29 October 1981 Eric Ogden Labour Social Democrat  
16 November 1981 John Grant Labour Social Democrat  
30 November 1981 George Cunningham Labour Independent Labour  
2 December 1981 Ronald Brown Labour Social Democrat  
11 December 1981 Bruce Douglas-Mann Labour Independent Labour Subsequently resigned his seat and restood unsuccessfully for the Social Democratic Party.
11 December 1981 Jeffrey Thomas Labour Social Democrat  
22 December 1981 Ednyfed Hudson Davies Labour Social Democrat  
22 January 1982 Bryan Magee Labour Independent Labour Took Social Democratic Party whip in March.
16 June 1982 George Cunningham Independent Labour Social Democrat  
2 August 1982 Robert Mellish Labour Independent Labour Dispute with local party.
10 February 1983 Michael O'Halloran Social Democrat Independent Labour Not selected as a candidate for the subsequent election.

1983–1987 Parliament
31 January 1987 John Ryman Labour Independent  

1987–1992 Parliament
19 May 1988 Ron Brown Labour Independent Whip suspended until 19 August 1988 over misconduct.
14 March 1990 Dick Douglas Labour Independent Opposed to party acquiescence in administering the Poll Tax.
4 October 1990 Dick Douglas Independent SNP  
25 September 1991 Dave Nellist Labour Independent Whip suspended over links to the Militant Tendency.
25 September 1991 Terry Fields Labour Independent Whip suspended over links to the Militant Tendency.
13 March 1992 John Browne Conservative Independent Conservative Whip removed for intention to stand against official candidate after he had been deselected.

1992–1997 Parliament
23 July 1993 Rupert Allason Conservative Independent Conservative Whip suspended until 28 July 1994 after failing to back Conservative government in confidence motion.
29 November 1994 Sir Nicholas Budgen Conservative Independent Conservative Whip suspended until 24 April 1995 after failing to back Conservative government in confidence motion.
29 November 1994 Michael Carttiss Conservative Independent Conservative Whip suspended until 24 April 1995 after failing to back Conservative government in confidence motion.
29 November 1994 Christopher Gill Conservative Independent Conservative Whip suspended until 24 April 1995 after failing to back Conservative government in confidence motion.
29 November 1994 Teresa Gorman Conservative Independent Conservative Whip suspended until 24 April 1995 after failing to back Conservative government in confidence motion.
29 November 1994 Antony Marlow Conservative Independent Conservative Whip suspended until 24 April 1995 after failing to back Conservative government in confidence motion.
29 November 1994 Richard Shepherd Conservative Independent Conservative Whip suspended until 24 April 1995 after failing to back Conservative government in confidence motion.
29 November 1994 Sir Teddy Taylor Conservative Independent Conservative Whip suspended until 24 April 1995 after failing to back Conservative government in confidence motion.
29 November 1994 John Wilkinson Conservative Independent Conservative Whip suspended until 24 April 1995 after failing to back Conservative government in confidence motion.
29 November 1994 Sir Richard Body Conservative Independent Conservative Resigned whip in protest at the treatment of the eight MPs who abstained. Restored on 17 January 1996.
8 October 1995 Alan Howarth Conservative Labour  
30 December 1995 Emma Nicholson Conservative Liberal Democrat  
24 February 1996 Peter Thurnham Conservative Independent  
12 October 1996 Peter Thurnham Independent Liberal Democrat  
8 March 1997 Sir George Gardiner Conservative Referendum Party Deselected by local Conservative association.

1997–2001 Parliament
21 November 1997 Peter Temple-Morris Conservative Independent 'One Nation Conservative' Whip removed due to questioned commitment to the Party.
21 June 1998 Peter Temple-Morris Independent 'One Nation Conservative' Labour  
9 September 1998 Tommy Graham Labour Independent 'Scottish Labour' Expelled from Party over misconduct.
26 March 1999 Dennis Canavan Labour Independent Expelled from Party after decision to stand for Scottish Parliament against official candidate.
18 December 1999 Shaun Woodward Conservative Labour  
6 March 2000 Ken Livingstone Labour Independent Expelled from Party after decision to stand for Mayor of London against official candidate.
11 April 2001 Charles Wardle Conservative Independent Whip removed after rumours of support for Independent candidate in forthcoming general election.

2001–2005 Parliament
10 December 2001 Paul Marsden Labour Liberal Democrat Left Labour over the war in Afghanistan. First Labour MP to join the Liberal Democrats since they were created.
2 October 2002 Andrew Hunter Conservative Independent Conservative Resigned whip in order to ally with the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland.
23 June 2003 David Burnside Ulster Unionist Independent Unionist Resigned whip over opposition to the Belfast Agreement. Accepted the whip back on 9 January 2004.
2 October 2003 Rev. Martin Smyth Ulster Unionist Independent Unionist Resigned whip over opposition to the Belfast Agreement. Accepted the whip back on 9 January 2004.
2 October 2003 Jeffrey Donaldson Ulster Unionist Independent Unionist Resigned whip over opposition to the Belfast Agreement. Later to the Democratic Unionist Party whip.
23 October 2003 George Galloway Labour Independent Expelled from Party. Formed Respect - The Unity Coalition on 25 January 2004.
5 January 2004 Jeffrey Donaldson Independent Unionist Democratic Unionist  
25 January 2004 Lady Ann Winterton Conservative Independent Whip suspended until 31 March 2004 over misconduct.
10 December 2004 Andrew Hunter Independent Conservative Democratic Unionist  
15 January 2005 Robert Jackson Conservative Labour Disagreement with party over higher education funding.
3 February 2005 Jonathan Sayeed Conservative Independent Whip suspended until 7 March 2005 over misconduct.
18 March 2005 Jonathan Sayeed Conservative Independent Whip withdrawn over misconduct.
25 March 2005 Howard Flight Conservative Independent Whip withdrawn over controversial policy remarks.
6 April 2005 Paul Marsden Liberal Democrat Independent Labour Declared support for Labour Party to win the impending general election.

2005–2010 Parliament
20 October 2006 Clare Short Labour Independent Resigned whip. Declared support for a hung parliament at the next election.[2]
26 June 2007 Quentin Davies Conservative Labour Defected. Criticised the direction of the Conservative Party under leadership of David Cameron.
25 September 2007 Andrew Pelling Conservative Independent Whip suspended pending the conclusion of an investigation into the accusations he assaulted his wife. After sitting as an 'Independent Conservative' for some time, he severed links with the party in October 2008 and designated himself as Independent only.
November 2007 Robert Wareing Labour Independent Resigned whip after failing in a bid for reselection. Initially declared he would stand as an Independent candidate.
29 January 2008 Derek Conway Conservative Independent Whip suspended pending the conclusion of an investigation into the accusations he misused his Parliamentary Allowances.
12 March 2008 Bob Spink Conservative Independent Whip suspended after he had threatened to resign the party whip due to dispute with local party.
22 April 2008 Bob Spink Independent UKIP Having previously had whip suspended, Spink apparently joined United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) on 22 April 2008, thus becoming that party's first MP.
Unknown, before April 2009 Bob Spink UKIP Independent In Spring 2009, there was confusion when Spink noted to a local newspaper that he did not regard himself as a UKIP MP (despite being listed as such on the party's website. UKIP, when asked for comment, noted that Spink had not formally paid for membership of UKIP, and from 19 May 2009, their website no longer claimed Bob Spink as a UKIP MP.
9 January 2010 Iris Robinson Democratic Unionist Independent Was expelled from the DUP and subsequently stood down as an MP on the 13th
8 February 2010 David Chaytor Labour Independent Whip suspended over the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal after criminal charges of false accounting were brought.
8 February 2010 Jim Devine Labour Independent Whip suspended over the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal after criminal charges of false accounting were brought.
8 February 2010 Elliot Morley Labour Independent Whip suspended over the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal after criminal charges of false accounting were brought.
25 March 2010 Sylvia, Lady Hermon Ulster Unionist Independent Resigned from party to fight for re-election as an Independent in opposition to the electoral pact between the Ulster Unionists and the Conservative Party.

2010— Parliament
19 May 2010 Eric Illsley Labour Independent Whip suspended over the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal after criminal charges of false accounting were brought.
14 October 2010 Dr Denis MacShane Labour Independent Whip suspended over the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal

List of Members of the House of Lords who have crossed the floor

Date Member Before After Notes

1700–2010
1703 John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll Tory Whig Critic of the Tories.
1710 Richard Savage, 4th Earl Rivers Whig Tory
1711 John Ashburnham, 1st Earl of Ashburnham Tory Whig
1783 Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel Whig Independent Resigning as a protest against the Peace of Paris
1793 William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam Whig Independent
1793 William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland Whig Independent
1794 William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland Independent Tory
1794 Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle Whig Tory
1801 Thomas Pelham, 2nd Earl of Chichester Whig Tory
1802 Edward Law, 1st Baron Ellenborough Whig Tory
1812 George James Cholmondeley, 4th Earl of Cholmondeley Whig Tory
1830 Ulick de Burgh, 1st Marquess of Clanricarde Tory Whig
1834 Francis Conyngham, 2nd Marquess Conyngham Tory Whig
1834 Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond Whig Conservative Resigned as Postmaster General
1834 Frederick Robinson, 1st Earl of Ripon Whig Conservative Resigned as Lord Privy Seal
1846 Edward Eliot, 3rd Earl of St Germans Conservative Whig
1884 Lawrence Dundas, 1st Marquess of Zetland Whig Conservative
1886 Edward Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Charles Pelham, 4th Earl of Yarborough Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Chichester Parkinson-Fortescue, 1st Baron Carlingford Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Richard de Aquila Grosvenor, 1st Baron Stalbridge Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Thomas Baring, 1st Earl of Northbrook Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Edward Hyde Villiers, 5th Earl of Clarendon Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 Albert Parker, 3rd Earl of Morley Liberal Liberal Unionist
1886 George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll Liberal Independent
1895 Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne Liberal Liberal Unionist
1902 Spencer Cavendish, 8th Duke of Devonshire Liberal Unionist Conservative
1905 Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne Liberal Unionist Conservative
1920 John Wodehouse, 2nd Earl of Kimberley Liberal Labour First Labour Peer
1945 Frederick James Marquis, 1st Earl of Woolton Independent Conservative
1947 Charles Kerr, 1st Baron Teviot Liberal National Conservative
1959 David Rees Rees-Williams, 1st Baron Ogmore Labour Liberal Former Labour MP and Minister
1975 Alan Mais, Baron Mais Labour Liberal
1979 Alfred Robens, Baron Robens of Woldingham Labour Conservative In later life became aligned with the Conservatives after becoming unhappy with how left wing the Labour Party was heading.
1979 Alun Jones, Baron Chalfont Labour Independent
1979 Richard Marsh, Baron Marsh Labour Independent
1981 George Brown, Baron George-Brown Labour Social Democrat
1981 Elaine Burton, Baroness Burton of Coventry Labour Social Democrat
1981 John Diamond, Baron Diamond Labour Social Democrat Rejoined Labour in 1995
1981 Walter Perry, Baron Perry of Walton Labour Social Democrat
1982 John Edward Poynder Grigg, 2nd Baron Altrincham Conservative Social Democrat
1982 Wayland Hilton Young, 2nd Baron Kennet Labour Social Democrat
1982 Martin Attlee, 2nd Earl Attlee Labour Social Democrat
1982 Herbert Bowden, Baron Aylestone Labour Social Democrat
1982 Phyllis Stedman, Baroness Stedman Labour Social Democrat
1982 George Thomson, Baron Thomson of Monifieth Labour Social Democrat
1982 Henry Wilson, Baron Wilson of Langside Labour Social Democrat
1988 Phyllis Stedman, Baroness Stedman Social Democrat Independent Opposed the SDPs merger with the Liberals and so created the Social Democratic Party (UK, 1988)
1992 Robert Skidelsky, Baron Skidelsky Social Democrat Conservative Left the Conservatives in 2001
1997 David Alton, Baron Alton of Liverpool Liberal Democrat Independent Was unhappy with the pro-choice stance of certain colleagues
1997 John Richard Attlee, 3rd Earl Attlee Independent Conservative Grandson of Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee
1999 Baron Beaumont of Whitley Liberal Democrat Green The Green Party's only peer to date.
2000 Barbara Young, Baroness Young of Old Scone Labour Independent Became a crossbencher after taking up an appointment as Chief Executive of Environment Agency
2000 Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare Conservative Independent Expelled from party and jailed for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
2002 Lord Stoddart of Swindon Labour Independent Expelled for backing a Socialist Alliance candidate instead of Labour
30 May 2004 Lord Pearson of Rannoch Conservative Independent Expelled from Party for backing UKIP
30 May 2004 Baron Willoughby de Broke Conservative Independent Expelled from Party for backing UKIP
30 May 2004 Lord Stevens of Ludgate Conservative Independent Expelled from Party for backing UKIP
30 May 2004 Baroness Cox Conservative Independent Expelled from Party for backing UKIP
23 September 2005 Lord Haskins Labour Independent Expelled for donating £2,500 to Lib-Dems
2005 Baron Watson of Invergowrie Labour Independent Expelled from the Party after causing a fire and resigned
2007 Lord Black of Crossharbour Conservative Independent Expelled from the party and convicted of fraud in a US court in 2007 and sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment.
7 January 2007 Lord Pearson of Rannoch Independent UKIP Joined UKIP
7 January 2007 Baron Willoughby de Broke Independent UKIP Joined UKIP
25 February 2009 Nazir Ahmed, Baron Ahmed Labour Independent Expelled from Party after conviction for dangerous driving. First Muslim Peer.
20 May 2009 Thomas Taylor, Baron Taylor of Blackburn Labour Independent Whip withdrawn and suspended from party over Cash for Influence. First Peers suspended from the House of Lords since the 17th Century.
20 May 2009 Lord Truscott Labour Independent Whip withdrawn and suspended from party over Cash for Influence and later quit party. First Peers suspended from the House of Lords since the 17th Century.
5 February 2010 Lord Hanningfield Conservative Independent He stepped down from his frontbench role and has been charged with two alleged offences under section 17 of the Theft Act 1968 ("false accounting"). Court date set as December 13, 2010. This is due to United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal
16 July 2010 John Taylor, Baron Taylor of Warwick Conservative Independent Resigned from party and has been charged with six counts of false accounting and will appear before a Westminster magistrates’ court in August 2010. This is due to United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal
18 October 2010 Pola Uddin, Baroness Uddin Labour Independent Told repay £125,349 as well as being suspended from Parliament until the end of the present session of Parliament. This is due to United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal. First Muslim Female Peer.
18 October 2010 Swraj Paul, Baron Paul Labour Independent Told paid back £41,982 as well as being suspended from Parliament for four months. This is due to United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal. Resigned from the party. One of the First Hindu Peers.
18 October 2010 Amir Bhatia, Baron Bhatia Labour Independent Told paid back £27,446 as well as being suspended from Parliament for eight months. This is due to United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal. Labour Party Donor.
6 February 2011 Anthony Jacobs, Baron Jacobs Liberal Democrat Independent Due to opposition to parties policies on taxation.

List of Members of the European Parliament who have crossed the floor

Date Member Before After Notes

1979–1984 Parliament
1984 Michael Gallagher Labour Social Democrat He was the Social Democrats only MEP

1994–1999 Parliament
1997 Ken Coates Labour Scottish Socialist Expelled from the Labour Party
1997 Hugh Kerr Labour Scottish Socialist Expelled from the Labour Party
1998 James Moorhouse Conservative Liberal Democrat Defects after being de-selected
1998 Brendan Donnelly Conservative Pro-Euro Conservative Later joined the Lib-Dems
1998 John Stevens Conservative Pro-Euro Conservative Later joined the Lib-Dems

1999–2004 Parliament
2000 Michael Holmes UKIP Independent Resigned from party
2000 Bill Newton Dunn Conservative Liberal Democrat Felt that the Conservatives were increasingly negative towards the prospect of Britain playing a leading role in Europe
2002 Richard Balfe Labour Conservative Had been expelled from the Labour Party for standing for the post of quaestor

2004–2009 Parliament
2004 Robert Kilroy-Silk UKIP Veritas Created new party
2004 Ashley Mote UKIP Independent Expelled whilst pending fraud trial
2007 Jim Allister Democratic Unionist Traditional Unionist Voice Created new party
2007 Sajjad Karim Liberal Democrat Conservative First Muslim MEP
2008 Den Dover Conservative Independent Expelled from the Conservatives

2009–2014 Parliament
September 2010 Edward McMillan-Scott Conservative Independent Expelled from the Conservatives
January 2010 Nikki Sinclaire UKIP Independent Expelled from UKIP
March 2010 Edward McMillan-Scott Independent Liberal Democrat
May 2011 David Campbell Bannerman UKIP Conservative

List of London Assembly Members who have crossed the floor

Date Member Before After Notes

2004–2008 Assembly
September 2005 Damian Hockney UKIP One London First joined Veritas then created new party One London
September 2005 Peter Hulme-Cross UKIP One London First joined Veritas then created new party One London

2008–2012 Assembly
2010 Richard Barnbrook BNP Independent Expelled from the BNP, now sits as an independent

List of Members of the Welsh Assembly who have crossed the floor

Date Member Before After Notes

2003–2007 Assembly
2005 Peter Law Labour Independent Left party in protest at the use of all-woman shortlists

2007–2011 Assembly
2009 Mohammad Asghar Plaid Cymru Conservative Explained that he was a "Unionist" and against Welsh independence, First AM to defect and first ethnic minority and Muslim member of the Assembly also Wales' first Muslim Councillor
2010 Mick Bates Liberal Democrat Independent Suspended after it was found out he will be prosecuted for assault

List of Members of the Scottish Parliament who have crossed the floor

Date Member Before After Notes

1999–2003 Parliament
2002 Dorothy-Grace Elder SNP Independent Left the party and sat as an independent
2003 Margo Macdonald SNP Independent Ranked low on the party list for re-election so stood as an independent and was expelled from party; re-elected as an independent

2003–2007 Parliament
2004 Campbell Martin SNP Independent Expelled from party and stood as an independent
2005 Mike Watson, Baron Watson of Invergowrie Labour Independent Expelled from the Party after causing a fire and resigned
2005 Brian Monteith Conservative Independent Had whip withdrawn over misconduct
2006 Rosemary Byrne Scottish Socialist Solidarity Created new Party Solidarity
2006 Tommy Sheridan Scottish Socialist Solidarity Created new Party Solidarity

2007-2011 Parliament
2011 Hugh O'Donnell Liberal Democrats Independent Quit part over its direction

List of Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly who have crossed the floor

Date Member Before After Notes

1998-2003 Assembly
1999 Cedric Wilson UK Unionist NI Unionist Disagreed with UKUP leader Robert McCartney, as they wanted to remain in the Assembly to challenge unionists in favour of the Belfast Agreement
1999 Patrick Roche UK Unionist NI Unionist Disagreed with UKUP leader Robert McCartney, as they wanted to remain in the Assembly to challenge unionists in favour of the Belfast Agreement
1999 Norman Boyd UK Unionist NI Unionist Disagreed with UKUP leader Robert McCartney, as they wanted to remain in the Assembly to challenge unionists in favour of the Belfast Agreement
1999 Roger Hutchinson UK Unionist NI Unionist Disagreed with UKUP leader Robert McCartney, as they wanted to remain in the Assembly to challenge unionists in favour of the Belfast Agreement
2000 Roger Hutchinson NI Unionist Democratic Unionist

2003-2007 Assembly
2003 Jeffrey Donaldson Ulster Unionist Democratic Unionist
2003 Nora Beare Ulster Unionist Democratic Unionist
2003 Arlene Foster Ulster Unionist Democratic Unionist
23 November 2005 Francie Molloy Sinn Féin Independent Suspended from party, after publicly disagreeing with the party policy on eliminating many district councils, including the Dungannon Council of which he was a member.
15 January 2007 Geraldine Dougan Sinn Féin Independent Resigned from party
2 February 2007 Davy Hyland Sinn Féin Independent Resigned from party
2007 Paul Berry Democratic Unionist Independent Stood as an independent but was not elected
February 2007 George Ennis Democratic Unionist UK Unionist

2007-2011 Assembly
29 November 2007 Gerry McHugh Sinn Féin Fianna Fáil Believed that "Fianna Fáil was the right party to bring about change in Northern Ireland". Although a member of Fianna Fáil, McHugh sat as an Independent.
30 March 2010 Major Alan MacFarland Ulster Unionist Independent Disagreed with the UUP's electoral pact with the Conservative Party
3 June 2010 Dawn Purvis Progressive Unionist Independent Disagreed with direction of party

List of politicians who are suspended from their parliamentary party

Date Member Party Notes
22 March 2010 Patricia Hewitt Labour Was only suspended whilst an MP from the Labour Party over the allegations from the 2010 Cash for Influence Scandal and Former Labour MP 1997-2010
22 March 2010 Geoff Hoon Labour Was only suspended whilst an MP from the Labour Party over the allegations from the 2010 Cash for Influence Scandal and Former Labour MP 1992-2010
22 March 2010 Stephen Byers Labour Was only suspended whilst an MP from the Labour Party over the allegations from the 2010 Cash for Influence Scandal and Former Labour MP 1992-2010
22 March 2010 Margaret Moran Labour Was only suspended whilst an MP from the Labour Party over the allegations from the 2010 Cash for Influence Scandal and Former Labour MP 1997-2010
5 November 2010 Phil Woolas Labour Was only suspended whilst an MP from the Labour Party due to being found to have breached the Representation of the People Act 1983 and subsequently his 2010 general election victory has been declared void meaning he has been stripped of his seat and he has been barred from holding public office for 3 years. Former Labour MP 1997-2010

References

  1. ^ Gunter wrote to Chief Whip Robert Mellish: "I should be less than human if I did not shrink from being kicked out by the middle-class intellectuals who now control the party. I will go out with some dignity and quietly, I just resign the whip." See "Intellectuals in control of Labour, Mr Gunter says", The Times, 17 February 1972, p. 2.
  2. ^ Matthew Tempest and Hélène Mulholland (14 September 2006). "Short faces expulsion after calling for hung parliament". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/sep/14/labour.constitution. Retrieved 1 April 2010. 

Bibliography