Jeremy Corbyn won Islington North, a constituency he has represented since 1983 but this was his first election as an independent.
The former opposition leader defeated local Labor MP Praful Nargund, who was selected as candidate by the party’s executive committee in May. Corbyn won 24,120 votes to Nalgonde’s 16,873. Election turnout dropped 67.5% Compared to 71.6% in 2019.
In his victory speech, Corbyn said he had run an “aggressive campaign”. The political system must provide answers to society’s problems, he said, adding that demonizing asylum seekers was not the answer. He said he was proud that his constituents supported “kinder, gentler, more inclusive politics.”
Corbyn added: “I am incredibly proud of my constituents tonight and proud of the team we have delivered this result. A huge thank you to North Islington for what we have achieved tonight.
The announcement of the Nalgund election results was interrupted by a heckler who said “unlucky mate”, to which a Labor supporter responded: “What’s wrong with you?”
Corbyn, 75, told reporters it was “a very interesting night in the political history of this country” and he was “looking forward to being part of that history”.
Asked whether Keir Starmer would make a good prime minister, Corbyn said: “Well, let’s We’ll see. He’s going to be prime minister, he’s going to have a He has a solid majority in parliament but the manifesto he proposed was mildly worded and did not offer a serious economic alternative to what the Conservative government was doing. So the demands on him will be great, the demands of the people will be great.
“If you don’t give yourself the space to increase spending on urgent social needs, I mentioned the two-child policy, but there are many other policies, then I think there will be political problems. When he agreed to this declaration, he must have Knowing this, the manifesto is a bit of a constraint on any proposals he might want to move forward.
He added: “For example, if the government lifted the cap on the two-child benefit, hallelujah! I would be happy. But if they don’t, I’ll be there to say: Why don’t you do it? If they were private Department to implement rent control, that would be great. If they don’t, I’ll be there because this vote shows that people do want a real and independent voice in Parliament to speak out for social justice.
Corbyn was blocked from running as the Labor candidate by Keir Starmer in March 2023, but announced shortly after the election that he would run as an independent, leading to his expulsion from the Labor Party.
Corbyn was suspended from the party and lost his parliamentary whip in October 2020 after responding to a critical report by the equality watchdog that Labour’s anti-Semitism was “grossly exaggerated for political reasons”.
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He rejoined the party 19 days later, but Starmer refused to reinstate the party whip, meaning he continued to serve as an independent until a general election was called.
Corbyn’s campaign faces difficulties overcoming his long-standing ties to Labour, with many voters in his north London constituency appearing unaware that he is not the party’s candidate at the election. Without Labour’s canvassing data or infrastructure, Corbyn’s campaign faces an uphill battle, relying on volunteers from across the UK to support door-to-door efforts.
His victory ended a tradition of North Islington voting Labour, dating back to the 1937 by-election.
