Inside Corbyn's fight to win a seat without party backing
The Independent|July 01, 2024
It has been seven long years since the White Stripes song Seven Nation Army” became an anthem for a new generation of Labour voters.
JOE MIDDLETON
Inside Corbyn's fight to win a seat without party backing

In 2017 the chant “Oh Jeremy Corbyn” rang out at music festivals and political rallies as young people got behind the socialist firebrand. But fast forward to 2024 and not only is Mr Corbyn not Labour leader, he is no longer a member of the party he championed for 40 years, and is instead running as an independent.

Unfortunately for the man who has served Islington North since 1983, not all of his supporters appear to know that, and that could at least partly explain why the veteran campaigner appears to have a real fight on his hands despite winning a majority of 26,000 in 2019.

A Survation poll commissioned for left-wing news website Novara Media just over a week before polling day showed that he is on 29 per cent, 14 points below Labour rival Praful Nargund.

When The Independent visited the constituency to speak to the former Labour leader on the campaign trail, we found at least some voters who were still not aware he had been expelled from the party by his successor Keir Starmer.

Among them was Darren, 49, who said: “I’ve been a Labour voter all my life and I’ll be backing Jeremy again, he’s a brilliant MP and takes principled stands on things unlike others who I think are in it for the money.”

Whether any voter confusion about which party he represents will translate to the ballot box will be answered on 4 July. But in the meantime, the trip to north London was a chance to see how, for some, his rather unlikely rock star persona remains undiminished.

Denne historien er fra July 01, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra July 01, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE INDEPENDENTSe alt
Hometown glory awaits for Liverpool's next big fighter
The Independent

Hometown glory awaits for Liverpool's next big fighter

In a year when truly giant fights have dominated the boxing landscape, Nick Ball has been in two of the very best and is a genuine world champion.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 01, 2024
Captain sinks to new low leaving Ten Hag all at sea
The Independent

Captain sinks to new low leaving Ten Hag all at sea

The defence calls the Tottenham No 10. “Even [James] Maddison when he gets up, he said it was a foul but never a red card,” insisted Bruno Fernandes.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 01, 2024
Guardiola's troubles stretch beyond absence of Rodri
The Independent

Guardiola's troubles stretch beyond absence of Rodri

Manchester City began without one of the outstanding individuals of last season.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 01, 2024
Arteta returns to the French club that ‘ignited' his career
The Independent

Arteta returns to the French club that ‘ignited' his career

It was an approach that Mikel Arteta almost immediately dismissed, although there was a moment’s consideration due to a previous connection.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 01, 2024
AHEAD OF THE GAME
The Independent

AHEAD OF THE GAME

The uncompromising banking drama Industry’ is raising the stakes. It’s smart, seedy, and offers a breath of fresh air in a television anseap full of superheroes, writes Nick Hilton

time-read
6 mins  |
October 01, 2024
LET'S GET PHYSICAL
The Independent

LET'S GET PHYSICAL

Jilly Cooper said she thinks running has taken the place of more intimate activities. Helen Coffey asks if she’s right and whether exercise is really to blame for our loss of libido

time-read
4 mins  |
October 01, 2024
'I think that human lives have become a lot cheaper'
The Independent

'I think that human lives have become a lot cheaper'

In his new book Resolution’, Irvine Welsh proves his writing has lost none of its bite. He speaks to Chris Harvey about how identity politics has played into the hands of the wealthy

time-read
10 mins  |
October 01, 2024
Third British judge leaves role in Hong Kong court
The Independent

Third British judge leaves role in Hong Kong court

A third British judge has left a top Hong Kong Court amid growing calls for them to step down over a China-imposed crackdown on dissent.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 01, 2024
Putin is trying to ‘erase' Ukraine, tennis star warns
The Independent

Putin is trying to ‘erase' Ukraine, tennis star warns

Russian president Vladimir Putin is waging war to try and wipe Ukraine off the map, the country’s top tennis player has warned.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 01, 2024
Rat infestation threatening priceless museum artefacts
The Independent

Rat infestation threatening priceless museum artefacts

A rat infestation is threatening one of India’s finest collections of royal artefacts at the country’s own Albert Hall – now a museum in the Rajasthani city of Jaipur.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 01, 2024