Millions of voters across London will go to the polls on July 4 to elect the new Government. The Standard is looking at key battleground seats in the capital, and has published an interactive map. Here we turn the spotlight on:
Estimated declaration time 3am
Candidates for main parties (in alphabetical order):
Vikas Aggarwal - Liberal Democrats
Jeremy Corbyn - Independent
Sheridan Kates - Green
Praful Nargund - Labour
Martyn Nelson - Reform UK
TBC - Conservatives
Summary: Jeremy Corbyn’s stronghold since 1983, Islington North is now the centre of drama with the former Labour leader running as an independent after accusing the party of "denying democracy".
He was prevented from standing as the official Labour candidate following his suspension over an antisemitism probe.
With a thumping majority of 26,188, Mr Corbyn is banking on his strong personal following built over four decades of dogged constituency service to carry him to victory over local Labour councillor Praful Nargund.
Mr Nargund insists he is “absolutely ready for whatever this contest entails” after warnings that diehard Corbynistas could turn the race into an ill-tempered flashpoint.
Days before the election Mr Corbyn won the backing of 72 Islington North Labour Party members past or present, including serving members of the local executive committee, who wrote a letter to their constituents urging them to support him.
Wards: Arsenal, Finsbury Park, Highbury, Hillrise, Junction, Mildmay, Tollington and Tufnell Park.
I’m not sure if I’m in this constituency: Here’s how you can check
Boundary changes impact: Islington North was left unchanged in the latest reforms.
YouGov MRP poll prediction: YouGov’s projection did not take account of Mr Corbyn’s independent run, but continues to class Islington North as Labour.
Evening Standard view: It really is Red v Red, with the Lib Dems a distant second in 2019, followed by the Conservatives and Green Party.
But while it’s undeniable that Mr Corbyn has an unrivalled personal brand, Islington North also has no shortage of well-to-do areas and middle-class Labour voters - for instance in Highbury ward near the Arsenal stadium - who were left dismayed by the many antisemitism controversies during his time as party leader.
Should he manage to pull off his independent bid, it might mean the seat is a rare sight on July 4 - a Labour loss. Which is why the party is fighting hard to hold onto a constituency it first won in 1937.
Click here to see more key seats across London:
