Jeremy Corbyn has been an MP for 40 years, but Keir Starmer has confirmed Corbyn’s time in the Labour party has come to an end. Starmer was asked three times on the Today programme whether Corbyn – who was kicked out in 2020 over his response to the equalities watchdog’s report into antisemitism in the party – would stand as a Labour candidate in Islington North at the next election. Three times, Starmer said his predecessor as Labour leader would not be coming back:
‘I don’t see the circumstance in which that can happen. I don’t see the circumstance in which Jeremy Corbyn will stand as a Labour candidate.’
Starmer’s comments give a clear answer to Corbyn, who said in an interview last month:
‘I hope that the party reinstates the whip to me which in my view should never have been removed.’
So what will Corbyn do now? There is some talk he will stand as an independent candidate, or perhaps take a punt in the London mayoral election in 2024.
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