THERE was an opinion poll at the weekend that claimed 68 per cent of British people feel they are politically homeless.

There are traditional Labour supporters who cannot side with the left-wing leadership of Jeremy Corbyn; there are traditional Conservative supporters who find it difficult to support Theresa May as, despite her resilience, she is not an inspiring character and is now on the verge of being bounced into a no-deal Brexit against her will by the right-wing of her party.

So is the Independent Group the natural home for these voters?

There has been a great desire among the British people for the parties to work together to resolve the Brexit issue – there was disappointment when Mr Corbyn turned down Mrs May’s initial offer of a meeting, and there has been dismay that Mrs May has been unable to take on board any ideas other than her own.

The cry has often gone up: “Why can’t they all work together?”

Is the Independent Group – eight Labour and three Conservatives – the beginnings of them working together?

At the moment it is too small, and its ideas too unknown, but it is likely to grow, and it will have an effect on tight Parliamentary arithmetic. But can it act coherently – which way would it vote on a confidence motion?

Most people will watch it with interest. In this moment of national crisis, the leadership of both mainstream parties has been found sadly lacking – we do need some new ideas, some alternatives, to pull us through.