JEREMY Corbyn has given Keir Starmer a new problem just before the party conference by saying he hopes to return as a Labour MP. The controversial ex-leader called the way he has been treated by the party “extremely unfair”.
Corbyn was removed from the Labour benches in 2020 for claiming anti-semitism in the party was “overstated for political reasons.” Speaking to the Islington Tribune, Corbyn said he is going to the party conference in Liverpool this weekend to do an “analysis of the Forde report”, an inquiry he says vindicates his position.
The leader of Islington Council, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, has also given her public backing to Corbyn as MP for Islington North, saying: “I hope they will allow Jeremy to be a Labour candidate. He’s a Labour member and he’s been a fantastic local MP for over 30 years.”
Sir Keir has tried to distance himself from Corbyn, saying the party will sing the national anthem at conference. A proposed motion to discuss public ownership was blocked by the party leadership.
Yesterday Starmer wrote in the Jewish Chronicle of his pride at better relations with the Jewish community. He said: “I’m grateful to have strengthened my ties and deepened my relationships with Britain’s Jewish community. I’m proud that the Labour Party has continued to make strides in tackling antisemitism in all forms.”
A Labour party spokesperson declined to comment.
Ai Wei Wei hides his work in warehouses
ARTIST Ai Weiwei isn’t a fan of his own famous creations. “I don’t like my artworks… but I wish other people would” he said at a speech at the Design Museum last night, saying his works are stored in warehouses not studios. Speaking ahead of a show of his art next year, Ai said he isn’t sure what to do with a haul of buttons he acquired from a closed-down Croydon factory. “The quantity is bigger than this room… if you have any ideas,” he mused.
Kwarteng’s limited resources
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng made his first big speech in the new job at the Holocaust Educational Trust in Camden last night. Pledging “unstinting” support for the charity, Kwarteng, who controls the nation’s finances, added he doesn’t have “limitless resources”. Was he referring to boss Liz Truss’s incoming tax cuts?
End of Carrie Johnson influence?
It seems some of Carrie Johnson’s favoured animal welfare policies are on the way out, as the Government has scrapped planned bans on fur and foie gras. As PM Boris’s animal-loving wife, she was said to have backed the ideas. Restrictions on hunting trophies and live slaughter could be lifted next, reports Politico.
Lena Dunham’s defence of British food
US writer Lena Dunham, who lives in the UK part time, told us of her love of oft-maligned British cuisine at the launch of her film Catherine Called Birdy last night. “I like crumpets, sausage roll, pies” she said. “You guys have some wonderful delicacies.” Andrew Scott is in the film and was there too. It was also the end of London Fashion Week: singer Griff was at Susan Fang’s show, while Deto Black, Pa Salieu, Bee Beardsworth and Charli Howard lined Chet Lo’s catwalk.
