Left-wing activist and columnist Owen Jones recently announced his departure from the Labour Party after being a member for 24 years. In his column for The Guardian and a video shared online, Jones cited Labour’s shift away from left-wing policies and its failure to address important issues as reasons for his departure.
He described Labour as a “hostile environment” for those advocating for more progressive policies like nationalization, accusing the party of pursuing “ruinous policies” detrimental to the country.
Following his exit from Labour, Jones launched a new group called We Deserve Better. The group aims to provide an alternative for those disillusioned with Labour, urging voters to support Green and independent candidates in future elections.
Jones believes that by sending a message to Labour through alternative political movements, voters can demand more accountable and principled leadership.
While Jones’ departure and the formation of We Deserve Better have sparked a range of reactions within the Labour Party, with some criticizing his decision as “pathetic” and a “strategic blunder,” others have expressed sadness at his departure and acknowledged the need for progressive change within the party.
We Deserve Better represents Jones’ attempt to mobilize support for alternative political movements outside of traditional party structures, emphasizing the importance of holding political parties accountable to their principles and values.
