Sir Keir Starmer is already facing a rebellion after a Labour councillor openly endorsed Jeremy Corbyn. Phil Graham took to Facebook to declare that there is "only one candidate" voters should consider, backing the former Labour leader.
Rebel Endorsement and Party Suspension
Phil Graham's endorsement of Jeremy Corbyn, who is running as an independent in Islington North, led to his suspension by the Labour party. Party rules prohibit supporting candidates who oppose Labour, prompting the disciplinary action against Mr. Graham.
Fears of a Nasty Race
Insiders are concerned that the election in Islington North could turn contentious, particularly if hard-left activists converge on the inner London constituency. There are worries of online and in-person confrontations, with calls for increased security measures to protect the candidate.
Corbyn's Stand for Democracy
Jeremy Corbyn, blocked from standing for Labour, emphasized the importance of democracy in a video message. He expressed his commitment to allowing members of Islington North Labour to choose their candidate, prompting his decision to run as an independent for the constituency he has served for four decades.
Predictions and Reactions
Polling expert Lord Hayward suggested that Jeremy Corbyn stands a chance of retaining the seat due to his strong constituency reputation, despite the odds typically being against independent candidates. Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer responded to the dissent by suspending Cllr Graham.
