Politics
Diane Abbott claims Corbyn has ‘no intention’ of running as an independent
The former Labour leader accused Sir Keir Starmer of a ‘flagrant attack’ on democracy
February 16, 2023 16:14
The former Labour leader accused Sir Keir Starmer of a ‘flagrant attack’ on democracy
February 16, 2023 16:14Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has “no intention of standing as an independent,” his longtime ally Diane Abbott revealed on Wednesday.
When quizzed over whether the Labour veteran would run as an independent candidate for his North London seat, she told The News Agents podcast: “No, no. Jeremy has been a member of the Labour Party from before either of you were alive…
“He has no intention of standing as an independent.”
The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP was also asked about the relationship between Sir Keir and Mr Corbyn, who served in several roles on the latter’s frontbench.
“Well, they had a perfectly good relationship as far I knew, a perfectly friendly relationship. The only thing that they differed on was that Jeremy, in his heart of hearts is a Brexiter, and Keir Starmer at that point, was passionately pro-European,” she explained.
When pressed on the topic she went on: “Yes, I’ve known Jeremy a long time. Remember in the 80s, when he was sort of starting out in the party?
“Tony Benn, who was a huge hero to all of us, and a hero to the Labour Party grassroots, he was anti-EU. He saw it as a conspiracy of business people and so on. So, that was the common view on the left in the 80s. And I think it’s the view that Jeremy still held.
“But Jeremy has always been about uniting the party, he knew most party members were pro-European. But himself, I would say, deep down he was a Brexiteer.”
Ms Abbott, who served as Shadow Home Secretary in Mr Corbyn's frontbench team, made the remarks mere hours after Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that his predecessor would not stand as a Labour candidate at the general election set for 2024.
"Let me be very clear, Jeremy Corbyn will not stand at the next general election as a Labour Party candidate," Sir Keir told a press conference at Toynbee Hall, east London on Wednesday.
It came after news that the Equalities and Human Rights Commission has taken the party out of special measures after it improved its handling of antisemitism complaints.
“What I said about the party changing I meant, and we are not going back, and that is why Jeremy Corbyn will not stand as a Labour candidate at the next general election,” he said, adding that the party would have “zero tolerance or patience” for those who downplay or deny antisemitism.
In a statement posted to his Twitter profile on Wednesday evening, the former Labour leader argued that “Keir Starmer's statement about my future is a flagrant attack on the democratic rights of Islington North Labour Party members.
“It is up to them - not party leaders - to decide who their candidate should be.
“Any attempt to block my candidacy is a denial of due process, and should be opposed by anybody who believes in the value of democracy.”