Islington North Labour officials accused in pro-Corbyn campaign plot claim
Despite being urged to announce his campaign to stand for election as an Independent in Islington North, friends say Jeremy Corbyn remains 'torn' on whether to stand against Labour
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Senior officials in Islington North Labour party have been implicated in allegations that they made inquiries into producing material to help launch a campaign for Jeremy Corbyn to stand as an independent candidate at the next election.
But while left-wing activists, including Corbyn’s wife Laura Alvarez have urged him to announce his intention to stand, close friends of the MP say he is still torn over running against a Labour candidate in the north London seat he has represented for decades.
One of Corbyn’s closest aides was recently overheard suggesting he still holds a “sense of misplaced loyalty to Labour”.
Another source close to the 75 year-old veteran also claimed he was “still torn” over whether to seek a further five years as an elected MP.
Jewish News understands that at least one CLP official has now left the party after emailed evidence was allegedly discovered asking for costings for campaign material to support any campaign by Jeremy Corbyn to stand for election in Islington North.
Other figures in the local party could now also face the threat of disciplinary action over claims they also engaged in discussion about launching Corbyn’s campaign.
Labour insiders told Jewish News up to six local councillors have also vowed to quit Labour in order to support an independent campaign by the ex-leader, while others in the local party have vowed to follow their move.
But other party sources suggest there could be less support for Corbyn from local Islington councillors, with several having already left Labour.
One Labour source added:”We’re never going back. Anyone who doesn’t realise that knows where the door is.”
Meanwhile, there are now at least three candidates sounding out local party members with a view to being selected to stand as the Labour candidate in the seat at the election.
Jewish News has already revealed that Paul Mason, the former BBC Newsnight business editor is understood to have confirmed to Labour chiefs that he wishes to seek selection in the seat.
Praful Nargand, a respected local Islington councillor and innovations entrepreneur, is also mounting a campaign to gain support amongst local members.
It is understood that another local councillor Sheila Chapman has also been urged to attempt to stand as the Labour candidate by friends.
Corbyn has been MP in the north London seat since 1983, and secured a commanding 26,000 majority at the 2019 election.
He is not without a chance of winning the seat again, should he stand as an independent, with many locals still supportive of work as an MP in the constituency.
But there is growing confidence within the non-Corbyn section of the local party, that the national swing in favour of Keir Starmer’s Labour, coupled with the selection of a competent local candidate, could leave the former leader facing defeat in the poll later this year.
Many in the local party would prefer to see a full selection contest held to pick the candidate to stand for Labour at the election as they believe this would give them “legitimacy” in the face of an expected ugly campaign from some of Corbyn’s supporters.
The other option would be for the party to impose a candidate to challenge Corbyn, if he decides to stand, at the last moment.
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