Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has announced he will stand as an independent candidate in Islington North in the General Election in a blow to Sir Keir Starmer.
The 74-year-old far Left icon has sat as an independent for almost four years, having been kicked out of the parliamentary party over comments he made about a probe into anti-Semitism under his leadership.
He had repeatedly dropped hints that he could run as an independent, a move that will kick off a bitter campaign in the north London constituency, where the local Labour constituency party remains loyal to him.
In a post on X Mr Corbyn said he would ‘continue to be an independent voice for equality, democracy and peace’.
He threw down a gauntlet to Sir Keir by pledging to campaign on issues including scrapping the two-child benefit cap, something Sir Keir does not want to do.
He said: ‘I am standing as an independent candidate for the people of Islington North. As your MP, I will continue to be an independent voice for equality, democracy and peace.
‘Let’s prove that when we come together, we can win.’
It creates a headache for Sir Keir, who has been keen to distance Labour from the policies and controversial of his predecessor.
The current leader threw shade at his predecessor this morning, telling Sky News ‘we are ahead in the polls because we are a changed party’ from how it looked under Mr Corbyn.
The 74-year-old far Left icon has sat as an independent for almost four years, having been kicked out of the parliamentary party over comments he made about a probe into anti-Semitism under his leadership.
In a post on X Mr Corbyn said he would ‘continue to be an independent voice for equality, democracy and peace’.
Mr Corbyn had repeatedly dropped hints that he could run as an independent, a move that will kick off a bitter campaign in the north London constituency, where the local party remains loyal to him.
Mr Corbyn has been suspended by Labour since 2020 after he refused to fully accept the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s findings that the party broke equality law when he was in charge and said antisemitism had been ‘dramatically overstated for political reasons’.
Mr Corbyn told the Islington Tribune that he would fight to retain a seat he has represented for 40 years, adding: ‘We have to stand up and defend our rights.’
Mr Corbyn appealed to lifelong Labour voters, saying that ‘I am here to represent the people of Islington North on exactly the same principles that I’ve stood by my whole life: social justice, human rights and peace’.
He went on to say that ‘these principles are needed now more than ever before’, vowing to defend ‘a genuine alternative to the corrupt years of this Tory government’, including rent controls, public ownership of energy and water, the abolition of the two-child benefits cap, a Green New Deal, and an ethical foreign policy based on peace and human rights.
Mr Corbyn added: ‘When I was first elected, I made a promise to stand by my constituents no matter what. In Islington North, we keep our promises.’
Labour on Wednesday unveiled a two-name shortlist for Islington North, the seat Mr Corbyn has represented since 1983, after he was banned from standing.
It also raises questions about the future of Diane Abbott. The Hackey North and Stoke Newington MP was also suspended by Labour over remarks she made downplaying anti-gypsy racism.
Sir Keir this morning said a Labour investigation into her comments will be resolved before the General Election.
Asked about the probe by LBC radio, the Labour leader said: ‘It will be resolved, yes of course it will. We have got a cut-off date for, I think it is June 4, or thereabouts.
‘So we have got a date in place.’
Pressed about whether the Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP who currently sits as an independent, would have the whip restored, Sir Keir said: ‘That is a process we are going through. The National Executive Committee in the end will decide that.
‘But we have got a process in place and we will complete it reasonably soon now.’