UK general elections 2024: Jeremy Corbyn to challenge Labour Party as independent candidate

Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour leader who was suspended from the party due to a dispute over antisemitism, has said he would be running as an independent candidate in Islington North in the upcoming UK general elections, as reported by the BBC.

This decision poses a challenge for Sir Keir Starmer, who had barred Corbyn from representing Labour after he did not apologise for his management of antisemitism issues within the party.

Who's next in line in Islington North?

Labour is yet to choose a candidate for Islington North, where Jeremy Corbyn won a big majority of 26,188 votes in the 2019 general election.

This majority makes Islington North one of Labour's safest seats, and Corbyn's supporters believe he can win again.

Labour has shortlisted Sem Moema, a member of the London Assembly, and Praful Nargund, an Islington councillor, as potential candidates for the upcoming election.

Former BBC journalist Paul Mason did not make the final shortlist. The selected candidate will be announced on June 1.

Corbyn was suspended from Labour for "a failure to retract his words," which he described as a "political" move.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to reinstate Corbyn ally Diane Abbott to Labour’s parliamentary ranks after welcoming Tory defector Natalie Elphicke.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak officially launched the general election campaign on Wednesday night (May 22), announcing that the election will take place on July 4.

Also watch | PM Sunak says 'no Rwanda flights before General Election

In a speech outside No 10 Downing Street, Sunak defended his track record on the economy, national security, and immigration.

(With inputs from agencies)