Latest news with #IndependentAlliance
The National
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Why the new Jeremy Corbyn party is a problem for the SNP
THE worst-kept secret in Westminster is finally out. Jeremy Corbyn is going to formalise his "Independent Alliance" of MPs and, alongside Zarah Sultana, work on a new party on the left of British politics. It's a big move. Polling tells us that such a party could cost Labour up to 10% of their vote. Corbyn, nearly six years after announcing he'd quit as Labour leader, still has significant influence over and pull among UK leftists. With widespread anger over how the Labour Government has handled issues like Gaza, disability cuts, the two-child cap, Waspi women, and NHS England reform – all part of the party's general move rightwards under Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney – it seems likely that disenfranchised left-leaning folks could be won over by a new outfit. But what it means for Scotland is especially interesting. Recent polling tells us that Scottish independence is supported by at least half of the population. At the same time, the link between independence support and SNP voting intention is broken. The SNP are polling in the low 30s, struggling to regain the highs of three years ago despite this shambolic Labour Government limping along from week to week. We've seen from a number of elections now that the SNP voters are just not that motivated to get out and vote. Different people I speak to inside the party and out offer various explanations. Operation Branchform removed trust, John Swinney isn't enthusing the electorate, there's a lack of vision being put forward, disappointment over the SNP going quiet on Gaza, and, most commonly, independence isn't on the agenda. We know basically nothing about Corbyn and Sultana's new party. We don't know its name or who it will entice into its fold. However, thanks to Govanhill-based poet and writer Jim Monaghan, we know there is a "Scottish secretariat" – basically a working group looking at how to set up this new project north of the Border. According to Jim, Corbyn's policy will be that he wouldn't stand in the way of independence, and members and representatives would be free to advocate for a Yes vote should they wish. READ MORE: LIVE: Palestine Action in court to challenge UK Government's terrorist ban Looking ahead, I think this poses a new challenge for the SNP – and the Scottish Greens – particularly with young Scots who are outraged by what they have seen play out in Palestine. I am 27. I have friends and peers from various backgrounds, but many of them not really political. They care deeply about Gaza and are, to say the least, absolutely infuriated that the UK establishment hasn't done more to stop Israel's actions. The message from Corbyn and Sultana is one that resonates. Angus Robertson's meeting with the Israeli ambassador (which we still don't have meeting notes for) does not. Young Scots are also extremely concerned about climate change and how it will impact their futures. Seeing the SNP move increasingly towards a pro-oil position, after years of Nicola Sturgeon pledging no new drilling, does not impress. The SNP have lost some support to the Greens, while other supporters have given up on the whole democratic system altogether. While I wouldn't want to predict the fortunes of a new party I'm currently fairly in the dark about, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think Corbyn and Sultana's apparently indyref-friendly, pro-Palestine, climate-conscious outfit could pose a new threat to Swinney's ailing team. Especially when they don't have concrete proposals for delivering independence for Scotland. READ MORE: Reform UK lose two council by-elections in England As Labour leader, Corbyn's plans for England always sounded familiar. Free tuition fees, free prescriptions, nationalised water and rail, etc ... that's just SNP policy. What was presented in the English tabloids as radical, extreme, 1970s socialism, is already in place north of the Border. The long-serving MP has been criticised for failing to acknowledge that – and like most London-based leftists is often accused of "not understanding Scotland". With those in charge of Corbyn's project largely within the confines of the M25, this could be a major hurdle for them to overcome in courting Scottish voters. Whatever happens, we've already seen how the British media is going to treat this new party. On social media last night you could hear the guffawing of the Westminster reporters as rumours emerged that Corbyn wasn't happy with how Sultana announced the move. This out-of-touch, smug attitude from those at the top of the media food chain is exactly what will propel people towards an alternative party like this.
Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Which Labour politicians might defect to the new far-Left party, FAB?
If the hard Left's new political party needed a name, it's staring them right in the face: Furious and Bewildered, or FAB. That's how Jeremy Corbyn was described when he was told of (now former Labour) MP Zarah Sultana's announcement that she was about to become a co-leader, along with Jezza, of a new party. But it's also an appropriate and accurate way to describe what the new party will be all about: furious at everything and bewildered that so few people agree with them. There have been rumours of such a development for weeks, but it looks as if Corbyn was somewhat left out of the loop when it came to the formal launch of FAB at eight o'clock last night on Twitter. The former Labour leader has already formed the Independent Alliance with four other MPs who were elected on an anti-Israel platform, a grouping that young Zarah clearly hopes could yet provide the foundations of FAB. But who else might join this ragtag team of misfits and ne'er-do-wells that aims to break the mould of British politics because that's never been tried before? No doubt Zarah and her fellow co-leader* have already started putting out feelers in the direction of other likely recruits, other Labour MPs (and perhaps others) who are as disillusioned with life in government as she is and, frankly, was always going to be. For Zarah is an oppositionalist politician, always more comfortable to be complaining about what others are doing rather than taking responsibility for the tough decisions that are part and parcel of government. How many others feel the same way and how likely are they to cross that Rubicon into the uncertainty of a breakaway party? Apsana Begum The Poplar and Limehouse MP has by far the most attractive CV of any of FAB's potential recruits, holding a postgraduate diploma in community leadership and extensive experience as a Workforce Diversity Project Officer and an Equality and Diversity Officer. It's hard to imagine better qualifications if your aim is to appeal to the disillusioned working classes of Britain. Apsana, one of seven siblings, lost the Labour whip last year for voting against the two-child benefit threshold. She still hasn't been welcomed back to the party and if she calculates that that's not going to happen before the next election, she has nothing to lose by joining FAB's growing ranks. Opposes Israel. Chances of defecting: 105 per cent. John McDonnell This would be a major coup for FAB and its collective leadership. The Hayes and Harlington MP is another to whom the whip has still not been returned after last year's rebellion over the two-child benefit limit. McDonnell is a former shadow chancellor and one of the hard Left's most effective media performers. Still, he is known to retain a high level of loyalty to his current party and might be difficult to shift. His former support for the IRA would certainly not go down badly with those currently running FAB. McDonnell once said: 'I'm not in the Labour party because I'm a believer of the Labour party as some supreme body or something God-given or anything like that. It's a tactic. It's as simple as that. If it's no longer a useful vehicle, move on.' Maybe that time is now, John? Chances of defecting: 50 per cent. Richard 'Zionism is the enemy of peace' Burgon The Leeds East MP is back in the Labour fold after his dalliance with rebellion last year (on the same issue that his colleagues were disciplined) so has more to lose than those who are currently without the whip. On the other hand, 'furious and bewildered' could hardly be more accurately used to describe any current serving Labour MP. Famous for having accepted the post of shadow economic secretary to the Treasury while in opposition yet managing to avoid speaking to anyone from the City for more than a month. Will long be remembered for his encounter with Sky News's Kay Burley before the 2019 election: 'The polls say you won't win.' 'The polls said we wouldn't win last time!' 'But you didn't.' Chances of defecting: 62 per cent. Rebecca Long-Bailey Once the far-Left standard bearer in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet, Long-Bailey came second to Keir Starmer in the 2020 leadership election, having begun her campaign by announcing that she would score Corbyn's leadership at '10 out of 10', although close friends say she would have awarded a higher mark had Corbyn managed not to lose both general elections he led the party into. Chances of defecting: 75 per cent. Tony Blair A bit of an outlier, admittedly, but if FAB wanted to grab headlines and essential publicity for their new venture they would certainly succeed by persuading the former Labour prime minister to hop on board. And it would lend a unique energy to party debates about foreign affairs. Chances of defecting: Less than zero. * It's unclear if Jez has even agreed to serve as a co-leader. It all sounds a bit Greens.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Jeremy Corbyn promises to serve the people as he reveals new party plans
Jeremy Corbyn has outlined plans for a new "alternative" political party, pledging to "serve the people" as he has "always done". Appearing on Peston, Mr Corbyn discussed the possibility of transforming The Independent Alliance, a parliamentary faction formed in September 2024, into a formal party. He stated that the faction of five MPs works effectively together and will unite to form an "alternative group". The new group's agenda will focus on tackling poverty and inequality, alongside advocating for a foreign policy based on peace rather than war. Watch the video in full above.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Shambles on the hard-Left: Zarah Sultana quits Labour to 'co-lead' new insurgent party with Jeremy Corbyn… but he is 'furious at being blindsided' by the MP (and they haven't agreed on a name)
An insurgent threat to Labour was teetering on the brink of chaos today as its launch descended into squabbling. Zarah Sultana dramatically quit Labour last night and declared she would be 'co-leading' a new left-wing party with Jeremy Corbyn. The ardent pro-Palestinian MP is a long-term critic of Keir Starmer, and was already sitting as an independent after being stripped of the whip. But it seems the move caught Mr Corbyn by surprise, with the former Labour leader said to be 'furious and bewildered' - although he has yet to respond publicly. There also appears to be no decision on what the name of the new party would be, with options mooted including 'Real Change' and 'Peace and Justice Project'. Mr Corbyn has been hinting strongly that he wants to form a new party - with polls suggesting it could attract 10 per cent of the left-wing vote and inflict major damage on Labour. In an interview on Wednesday the 76-year-old claimed there was a 'thirst' among voters 'for an alternative view to be put'. The ardent pro-Palestinian MP is a long-term critic of Keir Starmer , and was already sitting as an independent after being stripped of the whip Mr Corbyn has sat as the independent MP for Islington North since being suspended by Labour in 2020 for downplaying the extent of anti-Semitism in the party under his leadership. He was expelled last year but retained his seat in the general election, since when he has been part of the Independent Alliance, a loose grouping of independent MPs with left wing political views. Posting on X last night, Ms Sultana that she was 'resigning from the Labour Party'. She said: 'Jeremy Corbyn and I will co-lead the founding of a new party, with other independent MPs, campaigners and activists across the country.' She said that 'Westminster is broken but the real crisis is deeper' and the 'two-party system offers nothing but managed decline and broken promises'. 'A year ago I was suspended by the Labour Party for voting to abolish the two-child benefit cap and list 400,000 children out of poverty,' the former Labour MP added. I'd do it again. I voted against scrapping winter fuel payments for pensioners. I'd do it again. 'Now, the Government wants to make disabled people suffer; they just can't decide how much.' Appearing on ITV 's Peston on Wednesday - after opposing plans to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group - he said he was working with groups 'all around the country' 'That grouping will come together. There will be an alternative view and there will be an alternative put there which is about a society that deals with poverty, inequality and a foreign policy that's based on peace rather than war,' he said. Asked if he would like to lead the party he said: 'I'm here to work, I'm here to serve the people in the way I've always tried to do.'
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Jeremy Corbyn outlines plan for new political party and pledges: ‘I am here to serve the people'
Jeremy Corbyn has outlined his plans for a new "alternative' political party, pledging he will 'serve the people' as he has 'always done'. Appearing on Peston on Wednesday (2 July), Mr Corbyn was questioned on whether he would turn The Independent Alliance, a parliamentary faction formed in September 2024, into a formal party. He said that the faction of five MPs 'work very well together' and that they will 'come together' to form an "alternative group'. Mr Corbyn said the group will 'deal with poverty inequality and a foreign policy based on peace rather than war'.
