Jeremy Corbyn has been an MP since 1983 [Photo: Simon Lamrock]

In an exclusive article for the Islington Tribune, JEREMY CORBYN explains his decision to stand for election again as independent candidate

I am very proud to have been your MP since 1983.

In all those years, we have achieved huge victories for each other: saving the Whittington Hospital, stopping the construction of a motorway through North London, protecting the No. 4 bus route, creating Gillespie Park, building council houses and many more.

Every day, I am inspired by the work being done in our hospital, mosques, churches, youth clubs, schools, foodbanks and community centres.

Meeting people, learning from them and working with them to build a fairer society. That’s what being an MP is all about.

I believe in democracy.

Local Labour Party members in Islington North have been prevented from choosing their own candidate, which has disempowered everyone in the community. I am appalled at the way local people have been treated. We have to stand up and defend our rights. That is why I am standing to be an independent candidate for the people of Islington North.

I joined the Labour Party when I was 16 years old. I hope people who have always supported Labour will understand why I have taken this decision, and that I am here to represent the people of Islington North on exactly the same principles that I’ve stood by my whole life: social justice, human rights and peace.

These principles are needed now more than ever before.

The issues facing people in Islington North – child poverty, sky-high rents, crumbling schools, pollution an NHS under attack – are part a much wider, national set of crises.

There are more people living in desperate poverty than I have ever known. More families struggling to pay their bills. More young people unable to keep up with rent.

More rough sleepers on the streets without shelter. More elderly people who cannot afford the care they need. More refugees fleeing the horrors of conflict and climate catastrophe.

We will not solve these crises unless we build a new kind of politics – one that represents a genuine alternative to the corrupt years of this Tory government. An alternative that redistributes wealth, ownership and power. An alternative that offers people something very precious: hope.

Our campaign will fight for the bold demands that are being made up and down the country, based on the values that have bound our community together for 40 years.

One, for a more equal society. It is an absolute disgrace that 4.2 million children are living in poverty in the sixth largest economy in the world. We must scrap the 2-child benefits cap, and introduce a wealth tax to fund decent pay rises for all, and rebuild our crumbling public services.

Two, for housing justice. We need rent controls, a massive council-house-building programme, and urgent leasehold reform. Everyone deserves a decent, warm, safe and comfortable place to live – is that really such a radical idea?
Three, for a greener Islington. I will be a local voice for a global Green New Deal that puts people before profit. Stop bailing out failing companies and bring water and energy (as well as rail and mail) into public ownership!

Four, for a fully-public, fully-funded NHS. Austerity and privatisation are the causes, not the solution, to the crisis in our NHS. I will never take donations from private healthcare, and as your MP I will always defend the principle of free, universal healthcare.

And finally, we will campaign for an alternative to endless war.

Real security isn’t destroying your neighbour. It’s getting on with your neighbour. I will continue to defend human rights for everybody and speak up for a world of peace. That also means defending the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. Islington has a proud history of welcoming refugees.

We know that refugees have enriched our lives. We know that refugees are scholars, scientists, bus drivers, teachers, doctors and nurses. And we know that refugees are human beings, who deserve to be treated with respect. As your MP, I will speak up for a humane asylum system that creates safe routes for asylum seekers trying to survive.

Whoever the Prime Minister is, I’ll be holding them to account. That’s because I am here to serve the people of Islington North with the same dedication, the same values, and the same thirst for social justice that I have always had.

With your support, I will continue to use my voice in Parliament to defend the transformative policies this country needs.

This future is no pipedream. Our community is proof that a kinder world is possible. Every week, I visit community centres, run by remarkable people supporting those in need.

I meet mutual aid groups who are building a new economy, one act of kindness at a time. I meet carers who give up their lives to meet the needs of others.

If we applied these values to society as a whole, then we could create a society that cares for each other and cares for all.

When I vote in Parliament, I do not vote alone. I vote with my community – and our campaign will bring people of all ages, backgrounds and faiths together in pursuit of a fairer society.

Make no mistake, this campaign won’t be easy. We need your help, now. Pledge your support at http://www.votecorbyn.com to prove that when we come together, we can win.

When I was first elected, I made a promise to stand by my constituents no matter what.

In Islington North, we keep our promises. It is an honour to represent you in Parliament, and with your support, that is what I will continue to do.