Jeremy Corbyn hints at launch of new party as leftwing alternative to Labour

Jeremy Corbyn has hinted he could launch a political party alongside other leftwing independent MPs in an attempt to offer “an alternative” to Labour, before the next general election.

Speaking on ITV’s Peston programme, the former Labour leader confirmed discussions were under way among the Independent Alliance group of MPs that he co-founded last year.

Asked directly whether they were preparing to form a new party, Corbyn did not rule it out. “That grouping [of independents] will come together, there will be an alternative,” he said.

The Independent Alliance includes four other independent MPs who all beat Labour candidates and MPs over the party’s position on Gaza. The group has the same amount of MPs as Reform UK and the Democratic Unionist party, which each have five MPs, and more than the Green party and Plaid Cymru on four.

Corbyn, who sits as an independent after he was suspended by Keir Starmer in 2020, has long hinted at plans to create a vehicle for socialist policies and pro-Palestinian campaigning. But until now he has not openly suggested a party launch before polling day.

The move could dismantle the left-of-centre vote and present a headache for Starmer, who has repositioned Labour in the political centre.

Corbyn’s group includes Shockat Adam, the MP for Leicester South; Ayoub Khan, the MP for Birmingham Perry Barr; Adnan Hussain the MP for Blackburn, and Iqbal Mohamed, the MP for Dewsbury and Batley.

Corbyn said any new party would focus on poverty, inequality and a foreign policy “that’s based on peace rather than war”. Asked if he would lead the party, he added: “I’m here to work – I’m here to serve the people in the way I’ve always tried to do.”

“The Alliance group of MPs has worked very hard and very well together over the past year in parliament, and we’re coming up to our first anniversary,” Corbyn said.