Phil Graham

A LABOUR councillor has said any of his Town Hall colleagues would be “scabs” if they try to stand in Islington North against Jeremy Corbyn

Phil Graham, who represents Bunhill ward, said Labour councillors should not even be considering it.

“It’s an absolute disgrace. They should all be standing behind their MP and fighting for him,” he said. “They’re scabs of the highest order, they should be coming out with the members of Islington North.”

Cllr Graham said he was also unimpressed with the two names who were quickest to declare their interest: journalists Christian Wolmar and Paul Mason

“Christian stands for everything,” he said.

“He’d go to the opening event of an envelope if it meant he could stand for a position.

“And I laughed my head off when Paul Mason said he was going to apply.”

Cllr Graham said the shortlisting should not have been taken out of the hands of the Islington North CLP.

“The members of Islington should have a chance to choose who they want,” he said.

“Jeremy should get a chance to be on the shortlist.”

Although he had lost the parliamentary whip by the 2022 local elections, Mr Corbyn helped kick off the Labour council group’s campaign and appeared at the main launch event.