After more than two decades of support, journalist Owen Jones has announced his departure from the Labour Party, unveiling a new initiative aimed at uniting electoral challenges from the left.
Named “We Deserve Better,” the initiative seeks to fund and support candidates, including independent socialists and Green Party challengers, in specific constituencies where Labour’s dominance is being challenged.
Jones, a prominent figure on the left known for his commentary, activism, and authorship, emphasized the need for a unified opposition to Labour, particularly in key seats.
He criticized Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for alienating the party’s base through policies on austerity, child poverty, and international issues like Gaza.
Jones believes Labour has taken its traditional support for granted, opening the door for alternative candidates who offer a politics of hope.
“We Deserve Better” aims to support candidates such as Jamie Driscoll, who is running for North-East Mayor as an independent after being blocked from Labour’s nomination despite serving in the region previously.
The initiative also highlights candidates like Green Party’s Carla Denyer in Bristol Central and independent Leanne Mohammed in Ilford North as worthy of support. The recent Rochdale by-election, which saw George Galloway elected as MP, inspires the new group.
With various initiatives emerging to challenge Labour from the left, pressure mounts for these groups to unite against the party’s dominance.
However, Labour’s national executive member Luke Akehurst dismissed Jones’s departure as a “political temper tantrum,” signaling potential tensions within the left-wing movement.
Despite this, Jones and “We Deserve Better” are determined to forge ahead and offer a viable alternative to Labour in upcoming elections.
