Jeremy Corbyn Faces Possible Exclusion from Labour
Former party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who sits as an independent MP but is still an ordinary Labour member, is facing potential exclusion from the Labour party after accepting a donation from We Deserve Better, according to sources.
Background
Corbyn was suspended as a member and a Labour MP in 2020 following his response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission report on antisemitism in Labour. Although he was later readmitted to the party after consideration by Labour’s national executive committee (NEC), he was not reinstated into the parliamentary party.
Current Situation
Corbyn’s Labour membership is now uncertain due to complaints lodged against him for accepting a donation from the organization ‘We Deserve Better’, which supports socialist candidates. The group, endorsed by commentator Owen Jones, is backing candidates such as Carla Denyer against shadow cabinet member Thangam Debbonaire.
Corbyn’s registered interests recently revealed that he received a £5,000 donation from We Deserve Better for “political activities” on 12 April 2024.
Possible Exclusion
Labour sources have hinted at the possibility of Corbyn being excluded from the party. Party rules dictate that any member declaring intent to stand against a party candidate in a public election could face automatic exclusion. Additionally, supporting a political organization deemed contrary to the party’s values by the NEC is prohibited.
Complaints regarding Corbyn’s acceptance of the donation will be reviewed alongside other potential cases of auto-exclusion by a panel of NEC members.
The NEC, where Keir Starmer supporters hold a majority, previously passed a motion preventing Corbyn from becoming a Labour candidate. Corbyn criticized this decision, calling it an attack on party democracy and natural justice.
Future Prospects
It is widely speculated that Corbyn will run as an independent candidate in the Islington North constituency, a seat he has held since 1983. Requests for comments from Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party have been made but remain unanswered.