Three Conservative MPs in the UK have resigned from the party to join the new Independent Group.
Anna Soubry, Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston announced they'll be joining the group, which was set up by several breakaway Labour MPs earlier this week.
An eighth Labour MP - Joan Ryan - has also joined the new organisation.
In a resignation letter to Theresa May, the resigning Conservative MPs said the Tory party's policies and priorities are "firmly in the grip of the ERG [the hardline pro-Brexit European Research Group] and DUP".
They wrote: "The final straw for us has been this government's disastrous handling of Brexit.
"We find it unconscionable that a party once trusted on the economy, more than any other, is now recklessly marching the country to the cliff edge of no deal.
"We can no longer act as bystanders."
It is with a heavy heart I have today resigned from the Conservative Party. pic.twitter.com/wzPUB84w5Z
— Anna Soubry (@Anna_Soubry) February 20, 2019
Theresa May's response
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons for her weekly Prime Minister's Questions in London, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. May is due to go the Brussels to meet EU leaders for further negotiation on Brexit. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)Theresa May said she was saddened by the decision of the three MPs, praising their 'dedicated service' over the years.
The British Prime Minister said: "Of course, the UK’s membership of the EU has been a source of disagreement both in our party and our country for a long time.
"Ending that membership after four decades was never going to be easy.
"But by delivering on our manifesto commitment and implementing the decision of the British people we are doing the right thing for our country. And in doing so, we can move forward together towards a brighter future."
I am determined that under my leadership the Conservative Party will always offer the decent, moderate and patriotic politics that the people of this country deserve.
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) February 20, 2019
Independent Group
Seven MPs formally resigned from the Labour party on Monday to establish the new group.
They included several MPs who've prominently called for a 'people's vote' or second Brexit referendum, as well as critics of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.
However, several also criticised the party's leadership for their handling of alleged antisemitism within the party.
The new group claims that "none of today's political parties are fit to provide the leadership and direction needed by our country".
Mr Corbyn said he was disappointed by the seven MPs' decision to leave, saying the party's policies 'inspired millions' in the last UK general election.
The resignations come amid a sharply divided House of Commons, with Theresa May having failed to find a majority to push through her Brexit withdrawal agreement.
Today's resignations will also impact the British government's ability to win key votes as a minority government.
The Conservatives are currently propped up by a confidence and supply arrangement with the DUP.
