Jeremy Corbyn has said he 'did everything [he] could' to remain within the Labour Party, and will always support its movement despite running as an Independent candidate for Islington North.
He paid tribute to both Diana Abbott and Faiza Shaheen, describing their treatment by the party as 'appalling and disgraceful'. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
He paid tribute to both Diana Abbott and Faiza Shaheen, describing their treatment by the party as 'appalling and disgraceful'. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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00:00 I did everything I could to remain as a Labour candidate.
00:03 That option was closed by the party in which they imposed a candidate on the constituency
00:10 and I was told I wasn't even allowed to offer my name forward.
00:12 So I felt I had no choice.
00:14 A lot of people, a lot of people contacted me and asked me to stand as an independent.
00:20 So I listened to them and I decided to do that.
00:22 I've been a Labour Party member all my life.
00:24 I've always supported and always will support the Labour movement,
00:27 the principles of it, that principle of solidarity and unity.
00:31 That's in my DNA.
00:32 We've been knocking on doors, we've been canvassing.
00:34 We've got a huge amount of support and the offer we're making is to challenge inequality,
00:38 to challenge poverty and to demand better quality housing
00:42 and control of the private rented sector.
00:44 And we're getting a huge amount of support on the doorsteps.
00:47 Diane has been the MP for Hackney North since '87, done a fantastic job there
00:52 and been a spokesperson for the black community, particularly black women.
00:56 She's set a trend and she's inspired so many young people.
01:00 And the way she has been treated over the last few weeks,
01:03 the last few years perhaps, is appalling.
01:06 And the abuse she receives on social media, but she stoically goes through it all.
01:10 She has my admiration.
01:12 Faiza, great candidate, great thinker, great writer, great activist,
01:16 ideal person to be in Parliament, removed by Fiat just a few days before nominations close.
01:26 I think it's disgraceful and it's damaging to the Labour Party, but damaging to our society.
01:31 What does it say to young people wanting to represent others in politics
01:35 if Faiza and Diane are treated like that?