Four ex-Labour councillors officially launch as Islington Independents

Cllr Ilkay Cinko-Oner is one of the four new independents. Photograph: Islington Council

Four borough councillors who have quit the Labour Party since last year have officially announced their new grouping as the Islington Independents.

On Friday, Cllrs Ilkay Cinko-Oner, Phil Graham, Matt Nathan and Asima Shaikh published a statement on their new website detailing their struggle to reconcile their socialist principles “with the current direction of the Labour Party”.

The quartet highlighted the national party leadership’s reluctance to roll back “insidious” NHS privatisation, its stance on the conflict in Gaza, and what they describe as racist anti-immigration rhetoric.

“We have witnessed the party veer away from its roots, no longer standing up for working class and marginalised communities, trade unions and those fighting for social and economic justice.

“We cannot support a party that disregards the suffering of Palestinians and other marginalised communities,” the group stated.

The new political formation also highlighted their former party’s treatment of former leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was suspended from Labour in 2020.

Mr Corbyn had the Labour whip withdrawn following a statement he gave in response to an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHCR) into antisemitism within the party.

It concluded that during his time as leader the party had become “institutionally antisemitic”.

On the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the Independents criticised Labour’s continued support for arms sales to Israel and lack of a firm position on an immediate ceasefire.

As Labour leader, Keir Starmer has faced significant backlash over his stance on the conflict, particularly over comments he made at the start of the invasion that suggested he thought Israel was entitled to cut off power and water from the Gaza Strip.

Starmer has since called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Since becoming Prime Minister, his government has also restricted arms sales to Israel. But for Islington Independents, there is still a way to go.

“We believe that more decisive action is needed. We cannot support a party that disregards the suffering of Palestinians and other marginalised communities.”

The councillors stated their new group will fight for the restribution of power and wealth in favour of the working clss and the marginalised, and is dedicated to “combating austerity and racism in all its forms.”

“We will tirelessly advocate for justice and a free Palestine, work to ensure safe, affordable housing for all, and fight to keep the NHS public.

“We will vehemently resist any attempts to introduce Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) in health and housing, ensuring these essential services remain accessible and equitable,” they stated.

Cllr Phil Graham told the Citizen the group wants  to see the council show “greater opposition” to the Government’s stance on private finance initiatives (PFI), healthcare and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

“So far we’ve only seen a resumption of Tory policies since they were elected. Under this Labour government we should expect more change—not more of the same.

“Maybe something will come out in today’s budget, but I’m not holding my breath,” Cllr Graham said.

The breaking away of Labour councillors mirrors similar events in other boroughs like Hackney, where three members quit the party and formed as the Independent Socialists.

Though the move was motivated in part by local matters, the trio also denounced their former party’s “absence of progressive thinking at national leadership level,” particularly over Israel and Palestine.

Cllr Graham said there was no “official” link between the two groups.

“Our departure from the Labour Party does not signal an end, but a new beginning,” the group assured.