Political activist Owen Jones has announced his departure from the Labour Party, citing dissatisfaction with Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, which he believes fails to adequately address societal issues. Jones, a prominent socialist columnist for The Guardian, is now throwing his support behind a new political initiative, the “We Deserve Better” campaign. This movement aims to endorse left-leaning candidates, including Greens and independents, who are challenging Labour in vulnerable seats.
Jones highlighted the campaign’s endorsement of Green co-leader Carla Denyer in Bristol Central and independent candidate Leanne Mohamad in Ilford North, among others. He compared the potential impact of the movement to that of Reform UK, which influences conservative opinion from the right.
Expressing his disillusionment with Labour’s stance on issues such as Gaza and its abandonment of progressive policies, Jones emphasized that his decision to leave the party was not taken lightly. He lamented Labour’s perceived failure to address pressing crises and its resistance to those advocating for change from within.
The launch of the “We Deserve Better” campaign signifies a unified opposition to Labour, aiming to challenge the party’s dominance in key constituencies and apply pressure from the left. Jones believes that akin to Reform UK’s influence on the Conservatives, this movement could compel Labour to address concerns from its left flank.
While Jones predicts Labour’s victory in the next general election due to the Conservative Party’s internal struggles, he remains committed to advocating for progressive change and challenging the status quo within British politics.
“For those of us who cannot morally endorse a party committed to sustaining harmful austerity policies that perpetuate poverty for hundreds of thousands of children, or support a Labour leader who justifies Israel’s actions amounting to war crimes, there’s reassurance in knowing that advocating for non-Labour candidates poses no risk of a Conservative return to power.
Starmer’s approach has estranged Labour’s core supporters and presumed that certain constituencies will remain loyal without offering meaningful alternatives. However, come the next election, voters will have the opportunity to support alternatives rooted in hopeful politics rather than resignation to the status quo.”
