If the Green Party wants to be taken seriously, they’ll stand down in Islington North against Corbyn

On Saturday 25 May, Stats for Lefties announced that Jeremy Corbyn is likely to be re-elected in Islington North at the general election, according to their early polling – with the Green Party coming in fourth:

🚨 BREAKING: Expert data analysis suggests that Jeremy Corbyn will be re-elected in Islington North.

⚪️ Corbyn 36% (+36)
🔴 LAB 30% (-34)
🟠 LD 12% (-4)
🟢 GRN 10% (+2)
🔵 CON 9% (-1)

Source: @MarwanData (+/- vs 2019) pic.twitter.com/VhjfdLTyx0

— Stats for Lefties 🍉🏳️‍⚧️ (@LeftieStats) May 25, 2024

Jeremy Corbyn: the Green Party seemed to like him…

Obviously, this is great news for those of us who know what a kind and principled man Corbyn is. However, the margin is small and could easily change before election day. People were quick to point out that the Greens could simply stand down. This would give Corbyn a much healthier margin. It would also ensure the Labour candidate – Praful Nargund, who runs a private IVF firm – doesn’t win the seat:

Standing in seats such as Islington North is not helpful, hoping you can support left candidates by stepping aside where necessary for a left slate to win.

— Liam Scully (@badrenalin) May 28, 2024

The Green Party needs to have a look at itself in Islington North. They should endorse Corbyn and step down. https://t.co/bfjWHGBMnv

— Chris Corney (@ChrisCorney1) May 25, 2024

Zack Polanski, Green Party deputy leader of England and Wales was recently interviewed by The London Economic.  He said that the Green Party could provide a home for those who felt politically homeless after losing Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party. He also talked about the things he and Corbyn agree on. Most interestingly however, was the following quote taken directly from the interview: 

Does it surprise me that Keir Starmer is going back on these things, or as a human rights lawyer, he doesn’t seem to be standing for the right things? No, because I think Jeremy Corbyn was roughly in the right place on all those those things.

This gives you even more reason to think that the Green’s would want to stand down their candidate – Sheridan Kates, and endorse Corbyn:

Agree. What is the plan @ZackPolanski? Ending the duopoly to help the British people should be the priority. It is bigger then political parties. Do the right thing and the Green Party will earn the respect of the people. https://t.co/kToPxvNkAk

— E pluribus unum (@EndtheDuopoly24) May 25, 2024

Stand down, please

The Green Party is aiming to stand a candidate in every seat at this year’s election, which was voted for at their conference by party members. However, we have seen candidates stepping down before in order to avoid splitting the vote. Back in 2019, Liberal Democrat candidate Tim Walker stood down to protect the seat from the Tories – so it’s not implausible.  

It seems though, that the Greens are just being a pain in the arse because their policy clearly states: 

As a party we are always open to nationally agreed deals between parties

There is literally nothing preventing them from backing down and supporting Corbyn:

Over to you @TheGreenParty
gonna lose a lot of general goodwill – and likely votes – if you dont stand down.

The ‘stand in every seat’ argument is a nice twee pr line.
but splitting the vote of genuine like-minded established indy candidates is a bigger own goal. https://t.co/RuPJ3nixbj

— algy (alan) booker (@algybooker) May 25, 2024

I thought local Greens made own policy decisions? @islingtongreens ….why would you possibly stand and possibly split the Independent Corbyn vote??? ….think on…RT RT RT https://t.co/OzgFCgiS7c

— Cathy Wilson (@CathyWilson70) May 25, 2024

Why stand against allies?

The Islington Tribune revealed that the Green Party isn’t hopeful of winning and are also mindful of taking Corbyn’s votes. So why don’t they make the decision to stand down? The Green Party told candidate Sheridan Kates to:

encourage all Islington North residents to vote Green or Independent.

However, this could split the vote and any die hard green voters could take votes away from Corbyn. Surely keeping the seat from Labour is more important than proving a political point?

My wife and I are preparing to vote @TheGreenParty. The only thing holding us back is stuff like this. They won’t get our vote if they insist on standing against allies. It’s just dumb. https://t.co/dmuCEh4CMQ

— Raphael Dogg (@raphaeldogg) May 25, 2024

What @ZackPolanski does here is crucial to @TheGreenParty

If they’re serious about breaking the uniparty system, they need to honourably step aside here. https://t.co/xmFmXu5L15

— Bernie Banter (@BanterBernie) May 25, 2024

Many even suggested they would quickly lose respect for the Greens if they continue contesting the seat. Even if they didn’t put in any serious effort:

@TheGreenParty – yes, you should not stand against Jeremy Corbyn. This will do you no good in Islington and will filter into your national respect among the left https://t.co/z82rzzGjGG

— Carla Marx 🇵🇸 (@MaxiMarx) May 25, 2024

There is a similar feeling about Holborn and St Pancras, where Andrew Feinstein is standing as an independent against Keir Starmer. 

If they don’t they will lose a lot of support all over the country. (Similarly if they stand anyone in Holborn & St Pancras). https://t.co/mG9iBEIvR9

— Linda Sayle (@LindaSayle) May 25, 2024

I had expected to vote Green in my home constituency, but if @TheGreenParty insist on running against @jeremycorbyn (or @andrewfeinstein and other Socialists with a real chance), they won’t be getting my vote either now or in the future. https://t.co/UTsuGm86Ri

— Chris Kirk 💙 #IStandWithJeremyCorbyn (@KirkChris) May 26, 2024

Now is the time for the Green Party to show the UK that they mean business. Are they willing to put the best interests of the country ahead of the party? Keeping the seat from Labour is in everyone’s best interests, so now is their time to act.

Feature image via the Canary