Jeremy Corbyn Mobilizes Volunteer Army in Bid to Retain Islington North as an Independent Against Labour’s Campaign Juggernaut

Jeremy Corbyn Mobilizes Volunteer Force to Outpace Labour Opponent

Corbyn's supporters believe he can secure a victory in Islington North, although they emphasize the need for additional volunteers to compete with Labour's robust campaigning efforts.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 11

Jeremy Corbyn is actively seeking to enlist hundreds of additional volunteers for his campaign efforts, convinced that he is in a tight race with his previous party.

The former Labour leader is campaigning as an independent candidate in Islington North, a constituency he has represented for four decades.

Latest Election Update: Reform UK Surpasses Conservatives in Recent Poll

He has successfully drawn approximately 200 supporters daily to campaign with him in the London district. However, an insider speaking to Sky News mentioned that this number is "insufficient to contact every individual before July 4."

Mr. Corbyn is aiming to increase his campaign team twofold in order to match the capabilities of Labour and boost his backing.

According to the source, there has been "some confusion at the door regarding Jeremy's status as an independent," with some potential voters mistakenly believing he is still affiliated with Sir Keir Starmer's party.

"Talking to people right at their doorsteps can have a significant impact," they noted.

Latest in Politics:

Election Update: In a recent survey, Reform surpasses Conservatives, marking a significant shift. Meanwhile, a government official criticizes Nigel Farage's 'absurd' statement.

How Beth Rigby Crafted a 'Storyline' for Interviewing Starmer and Sunak – And How a Morning Run Nearly Derailed It All

General election: Conservative candidates distancing themselves from the Tory label

The campaign team for Mr. Corbyn is concerned that his left-wing backers might be complacently assuming he will secure his position effortlessly due to his significant visibility, even though Labour is ahead in the national polls.

He faces a formidable challenge due to Labour's "massive data operation," which allows them to efficiently identify previous voters, distribute flyers, and spread their message on social media, sources noted.

Supporters of Mr. Corbyn refuted claims of attempting to mitigate any negative impacts and expressed confidence in his ability to keep his position. They indicated that initial polling shows he is closely competing with the Labour candidate, with other parties significantly trailing.

"The source mentioned, 'If we can increase the number of volunteers to spread the word about Jeremy's independent candidacy, we're sure to succeed.'"

The Labour Party has chosen local council member Praful Nargund as their representative. Nargund has been actively campaigning alongside notable figures such as ex-party leader Neil Kinnock.

The call for volunteers was issued on the same day that Sir Keir unveiled Labour's manifesto, pledging "stability over chaos."

The prudent policy paper lacked the substantial financial pledges that were a hallmark of Mr. Corbyn's leadership period, during which Sir Keir served prominently in his shadow cabinet.

Emphasizing the transformations he has implemented within the Labour Party since succeeding Mr. Corbyn, Sir Keir stated that he is proposing a "thoughtful strategy for our nation's future."

Today, Mr. Corbyn responded by accusing him of "distorting the past" and urged him to take responsibility for his role during his leadership.

Further Reading: Jeremy Corbyn Responds to Labour Criticism

Corbyn states that Sir Keir Starmer is 'definitely interfering' in the removal of left-oriented Labour candidates.

This week, Sir Keir aimed to separate himself from his former leader by criticizing the Conservatives for creating a manifesto similar to that of Jeremy Corbyn, which he described as overly ambitious without a clear plan for funding.

For an optimal viewing experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser to

When asked about his backing for his predecessor, Sir Keir explained to Sky's Beth Rigby on Wednesday evening that he was "sure" the Labour Party was heading for a defeat in 2019, yet he "hoped for the re-election of capable colleagues within the party".

In response to the assertion, Mr. Corbyn stated, "He never mentioned that to me, ever. I believe that attempting to rewrite history is unhelpful."

He pointed out: "It highlights a bit of hypocrisy, one might say, that he claims to have always held this belief, yet he never voiced it when it mattered, nor did he mention it at all then."

"He was involved in the campaign. We both delivered speeches at events, and honestly, it's quite disheartening.

"Move past it and proceed. He was a member of the shadow cabinet and attended the Clause 5 meeting. Both of these gatherings reached a unanimous consensus on the 2019 manifesto, and he participated in those."

Mr. Corbyn was removed from the Labour Party and prohibited from representing it after his reaction to a report on antisemitism within the party.

The complete roster of contenders for Islington North includes: Vikas Aggarwal from the Liberal Democrats; Karen Anne Harries representing the Conservatives; Paul Dominic Josling running as an independent; Jeremy Corbyn, also an independent candidate; Sheridan Kates for the Green Party; Praful Nargund of the Labour Party; and Martyn Nelson from Reform UK.

Sky News Information

Services Provided by Sky News

Television Channels by Sky

Additional Websites from Sky