Corbyn's star power is tested

Wednesday, June 26, 2024 Islington North tests Corbyn's star power It was a visceral dislike of Jeremy Corbyn as much as a love of Boris Johnson which drove Labour in 2019 to its worst general election result since 1935.    But fans of the former Labour leader believe his local star power will be enough to see him fend off Labour's Praful Nargund to win Islington North as an independent.    Scores of left-wing activists - including some Labour members - have turned out to campaign for the veteran socialist.    A TikTok video on Tuesday boasted that the grassroots campaign is "making history", with 3,000 canvassers having knocked on 50,000 doors in the north London seat.   But a Survation poll released at the same time showed Mr Corbyn is on course to win just 29 per cent of the vote, with his Labour rival on 43 per cent.    It is only one poll, and lots can change in the last week of the campaign, but the former Labour leader looks like he is in trouble.  Quiz question Which country gifted Britain the despatch boxes used in the House of Commons? 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And you can enjoy 6 months for just £1. SUBSCRIBE: £1 FOR 6 MONTHS Daily briefing Man arrested in connection with Westminster 'honeytrap' scandal The man has been arrested in London on suspicion of offences under the Online Safety Act and harassment Starmer blasts Sunak's leadership over 'failure to grasp the nettle' on betting scandal Starmer has made the election about character and leadership with a full-blown attack on the PM's inability to deal with the gambling scandal Major US study finds Brexit 'left long-term scars' on UK The report, from the University of California, also found political scandals in the UK 'amplified public discontent' What else you need to know today Ask Reform candidate Howard Cox anything in an exclusive Q&A session with The Independent on Monday next week. You can also join Q&As with Drew Hendry, SNP candidate tomorrow and Ellie Chowns, Green Party candidate, on Friday. Arsenal Football Club was forced to distance itself from Jeremy Corbyn after the former Labour leader promoted a "Gooners for Corbyn" event on social media. I spent the day in the newly created Hitchin constituency with Labour candidate Alistair Strathern, who described himself as an acolyte of "Sir Keir Starmer's changed Labour Party". My colleague David Maddox got a look inside the last weeks of the Labour campaign, including a "three line whip" on everyone not to go to Glastonbury this year due to the general election clash. The Independent View How much further can the Tories sink? Now all bets are off Politics explained What is on Sue Gray's 'disaster list' of problems for a new Labour government? An emerging prisons crisis is one of the first problems new ministers will have to tackle after next week's election. John Rentoul looks at what else is on the urgent 'to-do' list.   Read more MOST COMMENTED Rishi Sunak accused of failing to order probe into 17 potential breaches of ministerial code Tomorrow on the campaign trail Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for Junior doctors will go on strike from 7am, until 2 July.    Bridget Phillipson, shadow education secretary, will promote Labour's policies to boost careers advice and work experience for pupils.    Keir Starmer will be interviewed by Paul Brand, ITV, 8.30pm.   Northern Ireland party leaders' TV debate will be on the BBC News channel, 9pm. QUOTE FOR THE DAY "Julian needs time to recover, to get used to freedom. You have to understand what he's been through. He needs time, he needs to recuperate"   Stella Assange, after her husband, Julian, landed in his native Australia a free man. 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