Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn announces he is standing as an independent at the General Election

24 May 2024, 08:41

Jeremy Corbyn has announced he is standing as an independent candidate in the General Election.

The former Labour leader said he will stand in his constituency of Islington North, vowing to be "an independent voice for equality, democracy and peace".

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."

Read more: Starmer says he's 'not dodging' General Election debates with Sunak after PM says Labour leader 'lacks courage'

Read more: Energy bills to fall for households from July as new price cap announced by Ofgem

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 has reduced its search to replace Mr Corbyn as a General Election candidate to two people.

The former party leader has been sitting as an independent MP for Islington North since 2020 when he had the Labour whip suspended.

Jeremy Corbyn has announced he is standing as an independent candidate in the General Election.The party has shortlisted Sem Moema, a member of the London Assembly, and Praful Nargund, an Islington councillor.