Change.org really aren’t happy at The Independent Group becoming ‘Change UK’

The Independent Group has formally applied to register as a political party to run in the upcoming European elections – if Britain is still a member of the EU by then.

The breakaway group of former Labour and Tory MPs has announced it will now call itself ‘Change UK’ in the run up to the elections in May, with Heidi Allen as interim leader.

But petition site Change.org are understood to be seeking legal guidance and have contacted the Electoral Commission after complaining the name is too similar to their own.

In a statement the website bosses said they are ‘totally independent of party politics’.

A spokesperson added: ‘It is said that imitation is a form of flattery. But the movement that we have built in the UK to win campaigns for ordinary people is ours – all 17 million of us.

‘We are seeking guidance on the proposed use of our brand name by those reported to be setting up a new political party.’

On Friday, one of the founding members of the party, Anna Soubry accidentally called the new party Change.org as she addressed the Commons.

She said the party would ‘change the face and direction of British politics – that’s why we call ourselves Change.org.’

The Independent Group was founded by former Labour MPs Luciana Berger, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith and Chuka Umunna on 18 February.

They were later joined by Labour defector Joan Ryan and ex-Tories Anna Soubry, Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston.

All 11 of the group back a second referendum on the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Speaking at the launch of their new name, Ms Allen said: ‘Today marks a huge step forward on The Independent Group’s journey to becoming a fully-fledged political party, so I am delighted to have been chosen as our interim leader.

‘We in Change UK, as we hope to be known, don’t just dream about a fairer and better future for our country, we are determined to unleash it through hard work, passion and shared endeavour.’

It is not yet known if the UK will be participating in the European elections following Theresa May’s deal being shot down by the House of Commons for a third time earlier today.

She now has until 12 April to set out her next steps and secure an extension to Article 50 or Britain will leave with a no-deal.