The Labour party has always been a broad church whose internal disagreements have given it much of its vitality and relevance. It is impossible for MPs to sit in the Commons for years without ever disagreeing with their leaders. What varies is the individual’s willingness to show public dissent, to defy party orthodoxy and party whips. Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead since 1979, is one who has not been shy of taking an independent line. Another is Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North since 1983.
For 35 years, Mr Field and Mr Corbyn have sat on the same side, regularly disagreeing with their party’s policy and with each other. Neither felt obliged to resign the whip until now. Mr Field on Thursday declared his intention to sit in the Commons as an independent. That is all the more extraordinary since, three years ago, he was one of the MPs whose nominations secured Mr Corbyn’s place in the contest that saw him elected as leader.
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