Jeremy Corbyn has been re-elected in Islington North, the constituency he has represented since 1983, but for the first time as an independent candidate. The former Labour leader defeated Praful Nargund, the Labour Party's candidate, securing 24,120 votes against Nargund's 16,873. Turnout was 67.5%, down from 71.6% in 2019.
In his victory speech, Corbyn said he had fought a "positive campaign" and called for a political system that provides answers to social problems, rejecting the demonisation of asylum seekers. He expressed pride in his constituency for standing up for "a kinder, gentler, more inclusive politics".
Asked about Keir Starmer becoming prime minister, Corbyn described the Labour manifesto as "thin" and lacking a serious economic alternative to the Conservatives. He warned that without increasing spending on social needs, like ending the two-child benefit cap, there would be political problems. He vowed to hold the government to account on such issues.
Corbyn was blocked from standing as a Labour candidate by Starmer in March 2023 after a dispute over his response to an antisemitism report. He was suspended from the party in October 2020 and although readmitted, the whip was not restored, leaving him as an independent MP until the election was called.
His campaign relied heavily on volunteers from across the UK, as he lacked Labour's canvassing infrastructure. The victory ends a tradition of Islington North voting Labour since a 1937 by-election.
