Left-wing advocate Owen Jones announced his withdrawal from Labour membership, advocating for support towards Green or independent candidates. A columnist, known for critiquing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, introduced a funding initiative to endorse candidates advocating “transformative policies.” The Labour Party declined to comment.
Mr Jones said “those who believe in real change from the Tories’ bankrupt model should vote for Green or independent candidates”.
He mentioned the formation of a new group dedicated to fundraising for supporting such candidates. Mr. Jones emphasized his history of campaigning for Labour’s candidates in local, national, and European elections.
“And yet, after a uniquely calamitous 14-year stretch of Tory rule, just as Labour looks set to reconquer No 10 by a landslide, I’ve just emailed the party cancelling my membership,” he wrote.
He said that Labour had become “a hostile environment for anyone believing in the very policies Starmer relied upon to secure the leadership”, including scrapping university tuition fees and promoting public ownership.
Mr. Jones, once a fervent supporter of Sir Keir’s predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, initially expressed hopes for Sir Keir’s success upon his assumption of leadership in 2020, despite not casting his vote in favor.
However, in recent times, he has scrutinized Sir Keir for retracting pledges made during his leadership campaign and his stance on Gaza.
In his article, Mr. Jones lambasted Sir Keir for renouncing the reinstatement of the cap on bankers’ bonuses or the implementation of a wealth tax. He also criticized Sir Keir’s commitment to “Tory fiscal rules,” which he argues perpetuate austerity policies resulting in declining public services and living standards.
Labour contends that it must exercise fiscal responsibility, pledging adherence to the government’s self-imposed rule mandating a reduction in public debt as a share of the economy within five years of an official forecast if it attains power.
Mr. Jones also rebuked Sir Keir’s previous statements regarding the Gaza conflict, particularly when he appeared to endorse Israel’s right to cut off water and energy to the territory.
A spokesperson for Sir Keir later clarified that his remarks were intended to convey Israel’s general right to self-defense.
Labour’s stance on the conflict has provoked internal discord, with some members criticizing the party’s perceived sluggishness in calling for an immediate ceasefire.
