United for Change

In April 2018, British press reported that former Labour donor Simon Franks had set up a company, the Project One Movement, aimed at potentially forming a political party and fielding candidates at an election.[7] It received commitments of roughly £5 million in funding from founders, and was compared to En Marche! in France.[10][11] In August 2018, United for Change was launched as the political campaign name of the Project One Movement.[12]

In late August 2018, one of the founders of the movement Adam Knight left to set up his own political organisation.[13][14] He later voiced his support for the Liberal Democrats.[15] The founders of United for Change are Simon Franks, Dr Saima Rana, Alex Chesterman OBE, Richard Reed CBE, Ceawlin Thynn, Ryan Wain, James Woolf.

Simon Franks has said he wants to make United for Change a grassroots movement,[16] with the aim of launching United for Change as a registered political party just after Brexit.[17]

In March 2019, Guido Fawkes reported that Annabel Mullin, a former employee of United for Change, was bringing claims of sexual harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation against United for Change and Simon Franks.[18] Franks was cleared of sexual harassment and sex discrimination at tribunal. However, the Tribunal found that Mullin's dismissal was an act of victimisation. [19]

As of June 2019, it has reportedly scaled back its ambition to win the next general election as a new party but still seeks to launch fully as a political movement once Brexit is resolved.[20]

• Stewart, Heather (20 August 2018). "Prospect of a new UK party grows as Brexit shifts ground at Westminster". The Guardian.