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.
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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 – thats 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 UKs 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 Groups journey to bRead More – Source
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