So, after four and a half years it’s finally happened: Jeremy Corbyn is potentially forming his own party – kind of – with fellow independent MPs Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, and Iqbal Mohamed.
Independents for Change? Independent Change? Change Independents?
As BBC News reported, Jeremy Corbyn:
is in talks with four other independent MPs to form a new group, potentially boosting their influence in Parliament.
Six independent MPs were elected at the 2024 general election – the most in modern history – including the former Labour leader.
The potential grouping of five independents – who all campaigned on a pro-Palestinian platform – would equal the number of Reform UK MPs and outnumber the Greens.
The missing independent is former DUP leader Alex Easton. We don’t need to explain why he is not among the potential MPs that might join Corbyn’s group. Of course, the framing around this is that this is a Corbyn-instigated affair – although Leicester South MP Shockat Adam – one of the Canary Candidates at the 2024 general election – also is central to the talks.
There is no immediate parliamentary benefit to forming an independent group of MPs – as notorious Change UK discovered to its peril in 2018/19. There’s no extra money, no chance to table Opposition Day Debates, and no access to select committees.
However, what Corbyn and his fellow independents may well be eying up is the potential to disrupt.
Corbyn: agitate for change?
BBC News noted that the five independents had already spoken to the seven suspended Labour MPs about cooperation. This has apparently not moved any further forward yet. A source from one of the independent MP’s teams told the Canary that more details of the plans will be announced formally next week.
But it’s the inference of what Corbyn et al are doing which is significant. As the Agitator summed up on X:
https://t.co/Y6gzI0bKcz pic.twitter.com/2447b7tj0g
— The Agitator (@Agitate4Change) August 9, 2024
A lot of people see it as a potential pain in the arse for Keir Starmer’s government:
The combined strength of independent socialists, the Greens, and the wider labour movement could create a progressive force which could shift the public debate leftwards, threaten the establishment in a good number of constituencies, and build community campaigns to change lives. https://t.co/xoREIegLPE
— George Aylett (@GeorgeAylett) August 9, 2024
A fresh headache for Starmer. He can afford a few defections (should it even come to that), but a Corbyn-led group in parliament would represent a serious electoral threat on the left. https://t.co/3qh5xk9GDE
— Bruges Group 🇬🇧 (@BrugesGroup) August 9, 2024
Corbyn seemingly told the BBC:
I am proud to work alongside my fellow independent colleagues to make sure our constituents’ voices are heard.
This country is demanding real change – and the more MPs who are prepared to stand up for international law, defend refugees and oppose the far-right, the better.
In other words – the Labour government aren’t going to deliver that.
But could this lead to a new party?
Change on the horizon with Corbyn
That’s a long way off. For Corbyn and his fellow independents, that would be needed for them to really exert change. However, as always we’re back to the issue of the First Past the Post electoral system making this difficult.
The 4 July election showed that it is possible for independents and smaller parties to pick up seats. However, this only happens when the political climate is right – that is, disillusionment with the main two parties and a very low turnout. So, advocates of proportional representation need to be pushing for it, urgently.
For now, the five independents grouping together is going to cause a headache for the Labour government. That in itself is cause for celebration.
Featured image via the Canary
