Jeremy Corbyn has announced he is standing as an independent candidate in Islington North.
It ends months of speculation about the former Labour leader’s political future after he was suspended from the party and effectively barred from standing for it again.
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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.”
Appealing to life-long Labour voters he said: “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.”
The move means Mr Corbyn will no longer be a member of the Labour party, which he joined 50 years ago.
A Labour source told Sky News: “We’re focused on returning as many Labour MPs as possible.”
It comes after the Labour Party kickstarted the process last week to find its own candidate for the north London seat.
The party has shortlisted Sem Moema, a member of the London Assembly, and Praful Nargund, an Islington councillor.
Sir Keir Starmer effectively barred his predecessor from ever standing as a Labour candidate when he proposed a motion by the party’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), which said Mr Corbyn “will not be endorsed by the NEC as a candidate on behalf of the Labour Party at the next general election”.
It cited Labour’s dismal defeat in the 2019 general election in arguing his candidacy should be blocked and said the party’s chances of securing a majority in the Commons would be “significantly diminished” if he was endorsed.
Mr Corbyn was first elected to represent Islington North in 1983 and has won it at each of the past 10 elections.
He has been without the party whip – meaning he cannot sit as a Labour MP in the Commons – since 2020 following his response to a report into antisemitism within the party by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, which Sir Keir and his allies felt downplayed the significance of the problem while he was leader.
Mr Corbyn, 73, has remained tight-lipped about his political future ever since.
Reports have long suggested he would stand as an independent, but Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a general election meant he had to bring forward his plans to confirm this.
The announcement today poses a headache for Sir Keir as campaigning gets under way.
While many expect Sir Keir to become the next prime minister, the Islington contest could provide an unwelcome distraction.
Mr Corbyn has won the seat with comfortable majorities at every election and is popular with local Labour members.
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