Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour Party leader, has established an "Independent Alliance" in the UK Parliament. This group, formed with four other pro-Palestinian independent Members of Parliament (MPs), aims to strengthen their collective voice in the House of Commons.
The alliance includes Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, and Iqbal Mohamed, alongside Corbyn. With five members, this new group now holds the same parliamentary strength as Reform UK and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), surpassing the Green Party's representation.
By forming this official grouping, these MPs hope to increase their chances of being allocated questions and speaking slots in the Commons. However, it's important to note that they are not expected to receive additional funding.
In a joint statement, the alliance members expressed their commitment to providing hope in what they describe as a "Parliament of despair." They criticized recent government actions, including:
- Discontinuation of the winter fuel allowance for approximately 10 million pensioners
- Maintaining the two-child benefits cap
- Continuing arms sales to Israel
The group emphasized the need for a "real alternative to austerity, inequality, and war," stating that these voices deserve representation.
The formation of this alliance comes in the wake of seven of Corbyn's supporters being suspended from the parliamentary Labour Party for opposing Sir Keir Starmer's stance on the two-child benefit cap. The group has extended an invitation to other MPs who share their principles to join them.
It's worth noting that all five members of the Independent Alliance secured their seats in the July 2024 general election, defeating Labour candidates in constituencies with significant Muslim populations. Their campaigns focused on pro-Palestinian positions.
While established parties of five MPs have previously been eligible for up to £129,000 in "short money" - public funds allocated to opposition parties for research support - current parliamentary rules appear to prevent newly formed groups from accessing these funds between general elections. However, the alliance can still benefit from shared resources and joint fundraising efforts.
The Independent Alliance typically occupies seats on the back benches behind the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives in the House of Commons.
"Millions of people are crying out for a real alternative to austerity, inequality and war – and their voices deserve to be heard."
This development highlights the evolving political landscape in the UK Parliament, where independent voices are seeking to make a more significant impact on policy discussions and decisions.