Jeremy Corbyn forms Pro-Palestinian parliamentary alliance in UK
Jeremy Corbyn, Independent MP for Islington North, addresses tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators during a rally outside Downing Street in support of the Palestinian population of Gaza on 14th October 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Large Palestinian solidarity rallies have been held throughout the UK following Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza despite a warning from UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman that waving Palestinian flags or chanting popular slogans in support of Palestine may constitute public order offences. (photo by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)
Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has formed a parliamentary alliance with four independent lawmakers who were elected on a pro-Palestine platform in Britain’s July election.
The Independent Alliance, which will rival Reform UK and the Democratic Unionist Party in MP numbers, aims to promote the Palestinian cause and challenge government policies on austerity, arms sales to Israel, and the two-child benefit limit.
The five independents, including Corbyn, issued a statement calling for more MPs to join them “We were elected by our constituents to provide hope in a parliament of despair,” they said.
“Already, this government has scrapped the winter fuel allowance for around 10 million pensioners, voted to keep the two-child benefits cap and ignored calls to end arms sales to Israel.
“Millions of people are crying out for a real alternative to austerity, inequality and war — and their voices deserve to be heard. As individuals we were voted by our constituents to represent their concerns in parliament on these matters and more, and we believe that as a collective group we can carry on doing this with greater effect.
“The more MPs who are prepared to stand up for these principles the better. Our door is always open to other MPs who believe in a more equal and peaceful world.”
The alliance has not formed a political party but a grouping without a leader, allowing them more time to speak and debate in the House of Commons. The move is likely to increase pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer over Britain’s relationship with Israel and may target suspended Labour MPs for defection.
