Shadow Scottish Secretary and Edinburgh MP Ian Murray says he is glad he didn't quit Labour
Shadow Scottish secretary and Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray has said he is “glad” he stayed in the Labour Party, following revelations last month he considered joining the breakaway Independent Group of MPs before changing his mind at the last minute.
A photo of Mr Murray at an event with other MPs from the now-defunct group emerged alongside the book Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour Under Corbyn, which revealed he had been on the verge of quitting.
Appearing on the Sophy Ridge On Sunday show on Sky News, Mr Murray was asked if he had “dodged a bit of a bullet” by deciding against joining the other seven Labour MPs in the rebel group, which was also known as Change UK.
He said: “I think over that period of time many people in the Labour Party, whether it be the Parliamentary Labour Party or ordinary members, looked very seriously at whether or not the Labour Party still held the values that they held.”
He continued: “I did change my mind for a number of reasons. The Labour Party is the only party that can deliver the social change and social justice that I came into the Labour Party to do. I want to fight against inequality and poverty and the Labour Party can do that. I’m glad I stayed, we’re now under new leadership and new management. Keir Starmer is doing incredibly well. I think the public are starting to respond that.”