ICI candidates Ruth O’Dowd, Nathaniel Jones and Pat Prendergast

THE Islington Com­mun­ity Independents have blamed internal “sabotage” – alongside a refusal from the Greens to stand down in target wards – for their failure to win seats across the borough.

Post-election inquests began almost immedi­ately after the count amid a struggle to build on Jeremy Corbyn’s win as an independent parliamentary candidate in Islington North in 2024.

Reports of infighting and factionalism emerged from the group, which included former Labour members who had supported Mr Corbyn.
Amid the battle to win support from residents wanting a more left-wing alterna­tive to Labour, indepen­dent candidates claimed they had been “shafted” by the Greens.

Members of Zack Polanski’s party voted against a deal which would have seen names withdrawn from the ballot paper in areas where the independents looked more likely to beat Labour.

This was in contrast to the situation in Camden, where the Greens stood aside completely in two wards – helping an independent candidate get elected last week. In Islington, the Greens decided that they would field candidates in every ward, but would not campaign in places like Finsbury Park.

Leader Benali Hamdache assured the independent group that voters would be able to work out that in those areas it would be more advantageous to support the ICIs.
This didn’t happen, leaving two “paper candidates” for the Greens announced in Finsbury Park as the winners in the ward after securing more than 1,200 votes each.

“I’m annoyed with the way they went back on the deal,” said independent Phil Graham, who lost his seat in Bunhill. “I do think it would have made a difference, because it took votes away from us. It’s been a bad day for me and for the independents generally. I’m now done with politics. This will be the last time I stand for election.”

There was a slew of dramas which characterised campaigning efforts across the borough, and the list of accusations and counter-accusations grew almost too numerous to chronicle.

Some independents got into disputes with Mr Corbyn’s office over which candidates he would endorse and which could use his image on their leaflets.

It is understood there were also arguments over a decision to move Rupert Wilkinson, who was originally selected independent candidate in Finsbury Park, to another ward in order to allow Palestine Action activist Amu Gib to stand for election from her prison cell. She is awaiting trial accused of criminal damage at an RAF site.

Ruth O’Dowd, who stood in Junction and won just 350 votes, described some behaviour as “toxic and psychotic”, claiming that two organisers had “sabotaged” efforts.

She told the Tribune: “It’s so petty, it’s like primary school. During the general election, there was no time for ego, but then with the space there was all this scheming and plotting. You’re just left with this mess and then nothing happens and it’s another wasted opportunity.”

Mr Graham added: “What happened on this occasion was the Left tore itself to pieces, and it set the campaign back enormous amounts.”

Members of the ICIs have said they now need to find “new talent” to allow them to rebuild the group, as it was clear that Mr Corbyn’s personal popularity alone was not enough of a vote-winner.

Ms O’Dowd said: “We had this figure in Jeremy, and that is a key thing in attracting people, because you need a figure to look to. But it’s clear that it doesn’t have to be Jeremy who has been around for 40 years.

“There hasn’t been enough of finding and nurturing new people. We need to be talent scouting every day.”