Corbyn and pro-Gaza 'Independent Alliance' to form 'new political party' in latest blow to Starmer

The rival quintet of pro-Gaza independent MPs will likely include Leicester South’s Shockat Adam, Birmingham Perry Barr’s Ayoub Khan, Blackburn’s Adnan Hussain and Dewsbury & Batley’s Iqbal Mohamed.

According to The Spectator, paperwork is expected to be filed with the Electoral Commission to formally register a new political party.

It is not yet clear how the group will distinguish itself from the Independent Alliance (Kent), which currently boasts two seats on Tonbridge Borough Council.

Despite pro-Gaza independents making inroads on July 4, the Palestine issue could lose its salience by the time of the next General Election depending on whatever happens in Israel's ongoing war against terror group Hamas.

However, allies believe the grouping can mirror Reform UK’s efforts to target the upcoming Local Elections.

The independent Commons grouping sits to the left of the Labour Party, with natural allies coming from the rump of MPs squeezed out by Starmer for voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

While not an official political party, the Independent Alliance’s formation in September allowed the gang of five to release joint statements on common areas of interest, such as foreign policy and opposition to the two-child benefit cap.

During the 2024 General Election, opinion polls consistently indicated that Starmer was more popular than his two-time defeated predecessor.

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However, YouGov’s latest most popular politicians tracker put the Prime Minister just one-point ahead of Corbyn.

Recent surveys also show Labour losing support to the left and right, with the Green Party, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK making inroads.

Independent candidates put up tough challenges to sitting Labour MPs in numerous seats, with Ilford North, Bradford West and Bethnal Green & Stepney also ending up in touching distance.

Corbyn romped to victory by 7,247 votes after mobilising an effective group of canvassers in Islington North.

Following the creation of the Independent Alliance in September, the group said: “We were elected by our constituents to provide hope in a Parliament of despair.

“Already, this government has scrapped the winter fuel allowance for around 10 million pensioners, voted to keep the two-child benefits cap, and ignored calls to end arms sales to Israel.

“Millions of people are crying out for a real alternative to austerity, inequality and war – and their voices deserve to be heard.

"As individuals we were voted by our constituents to represent their concerns in parliament on these matters, and more, and we believe that as a collective group we can carry on doing this with greater effect.

“The more MPs who are prepared to stand up for these principles, the better.

“Our door is always open to other MPs who believe in a more equal and peaceful world.”

The Independent Alliance penned a letter to the Prime Minister just a few weeks ago asking if Starmer received any legal advice over the definition of genocide.

In the letter, the group said: “Your flippant denial of genocide egregiously downplays the suffering of Palestinians and shows blatant disregard for international law.”

It added: “We re-iterate our calls for your Government to stop enabling genocide, end all arms sales to Israel, and start treating Palestinians as human beings with equal worth.”

However, a senior aide last night suggested that there are no concrete plans to push ahead with creating an official party.