Chuka Umunna: Lib Dems seek Tory stronghold as MP Mark Field quits ‘fractious’ politics

Chuka Umunna’s campaign to seize the Tories’ stronghold in the Square Mile has been given a boost by the departure of veteran MP Mark Field.

Mr Field, who has represented the Cities of London and Westminster seat since 2001, announced he would be stepping down from the constituency last night, opening up a pathway for a challenge by the Liberal Democrats.

He said the “fractious and febrile” political atmosphere over Brexit had contributed to his decision to step down.

Mr Field caused controversy this summer after manhandling an environmental protester at a Mansion House speech. Women dressed in red lined up outside The Grosvenor Hotel in Victoria to protest at the selection meeting last night.

Mr Umunna, who quit Labour in February to launch Change UK before defecting again to the Lib Dems after the new party’s disastrous Euro elections, told BBC’s Today: “The Cities of London and Westminster … voted to remain in the EU. It deserves an MP that actually represents those values.”

Mr Field said he was proud to be a “moderate, consensual” MP, but added: “However, such a pragmatic, co-operative approach to public service has been tested to destruction in the fractious, febrile and deeply divisive aftermath to the EU referendum in 2016.”