Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has announced his independent candidacy for Islington North, challenging the Labour Party after being barred from running under its banner. Here’s the full story.
Independent Candidate
Jeremy Corbyn, the lifetime left-wing campaigner and former leader of the Labour Party, has officially announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming general election.
No Easy Decision
Corbyn’s decision to run against Labour in his seat of Islington North, which he has represented for Labour since 1983, could not have been easy for Corbyn, who has spent most of his adult life as a Labour MP.
Corbyn Barred
His announcement comes after Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) barred Corbyn from standing as a Labour candidate, citing concerns that his candidacy would harm the party’s electoral prospects.
“I Believe in Democracy”
In a video announcing his intention to stand as an independent candidate, Corbyn stated, “I believe in democracy. I want our political parties to be democratic, but members of Islington North Labour have been denied the right to choose their own candidate.”
“We Will Assert Our Rights”
He continued, “We have to stand up and say we’re not taking this anymore. We will assert our rights.”
NEC Decision
The decision to block Corbyn’s candidacy was made in March last year, with the NEC passing a motion by a significant majority.
“Significantly Diminish”
The motion argued that endorsing Corbyn would “significantly diminish” Labour’s chances in the general election.
Distancing From Corbyn
This move has been seen as part of current Labour leader Keir Starmer’s efforts to distance the party from Corbyn’s tenure, which was marred by controversies, including persistent accusations of antisemitism.
“Shameful Attack”
In response, Corbyn described the decision as a “shameful attack on party democracy, party membership and natural justice.”
Assault on Labour Party
He accused Starmer of launching “an assault on the rights of his own Labour Party members”. He vowed to continue fighting for a fairer society, highlighting his decades-long service to the people of Islington North.
Substantial Support
Despite the party’s decision, Corbyn has received substantial support from his allies and local activists.
Appeal to Reconsider
John McDonnell, Corbyn’s former ally and shadow Chancellor, has voiced his support for Corbyn’s independent campaign. McDonnell expressed hope that Starmer might reconsider and allow Corbyn to run as a Labour candidate while acknowledging the solid personal support Corbyn enjoys in his constituency. Local activists in Islington North have also mobilised to support Corbyn’s independent bid.
Moving to the Left
Corbyn’s significant shifts within the party marked Corbyn’s tenure as Labour leader from 2015 to 2020. Under his leadership, Labour moved further to the left, attracting a surge in party membership.
Worst Defeat
However, his leadership coincided with Labour’s worst electoral defeat since 1935. The aftermath of this defeat and the subsequent fallout over antisemitism allegations have profoundly impacted Corbyn’s standing within the party.
Popular Figure
Despite these challenges, Corbyn remains a popular figure among his constituents. In the 2019 election, he secured his seat with a majority of over 26,000 votes.
Different Direction
Keir Starmer’s leadership of the Labour Party has been characterised by efforts to rebuild the party’s image and broaden its appeal.
Broadening Appeal
Starmer, who served as Corbyn’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, has broken with Corbyn’s policies and leadership style. His decision to block Corbyn from standing as a Labour candidate reflects his attempt to distance the party from what he sees as the controversies of the past.
Banking on Loyalty
As Corbyn embarks on his independent campaign, he relies heavily on his deep roots in the Islington North community. He has represented the area for over four decades and is banking on the loyalty and support of his constituents.
“An Awful Lot Thrown at Us”
Corbyn stated, “This is going to be a campaign with an awful lot thrown at us. I’m ready for that. And I know everybody else is ready for that.”
Left-Wing Activists
His campaign is expected to attract many left-wing activists and supporters who share his vision for a fairer society.
Splitting the Vote
Corbyn’s decision to run independently has broader implications for the Labour Party. His independent bid could potentially split the vote in Islington North, posing severe challenges for the Labour candidate selected to run in his place.
Massive Levels of Support
Jeremy Corbyn’s independent candidacy in Islington North represents a defining moment in UK politics, as the Labour Party attempts to distance itself from its former leader, who still enjoys massive levels of popular support though is loathed by many of the country’s right-wing newspapers.
How Labour Is Viewed
The outcome of this election will have significant implications not only for Corbyn but also for how Labour is viewed by many, both inside and outside the party.
Thorn in Labour’s Side
As voters prepare to head to the polls, it remains to be seen whether Corbyn’s independent candidacy will return to the Commons and MP who has been a prominent activist and potential thorn in Labour’s side for over 40 years.
The post Corbyn Rebuffs Starmer: Former Labour Leader to Run as Independent Candidate first appeared on Swift Feed.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Alexandros Michailidis.