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Six Corbynites switching to other parties

(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

There’s been a lot of focus on splits on the right during the election campaign – but what about splits on the left? With less than two weeks to go until polling day, Mr S has been keeping tabs on those Corbynites who are deserting their former party for greener pastures. Quite literally, as many of them have jumped ship to the Green party – or are urging voters to consider non-Labour, independent candidates instead. So who are the lefties that have turned on Labour?

Owen Jones

Owen Jones, former Guardian columnist, led the exodus after announcing in March that he was abandoning Starmer’s Labour lot for ‘We Deserve Better’ – a group that backs ‘socialist candidates’ and has in some cases recommended voting against members of Starmer’s shadow cabinet. The Grauniad published a length column by Jones – who also posted a video online – in which he claimed Starmer’s party was committed to the ‘same ruinous politics which trashed this country’ and had become a ‘hostile environment’ for left-wingers.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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