Prominent left-wing journalist and activist, Owen Jones, has announced his departure from the Labour Party after 24 years of membership, having joined the party at age 15. Citing disillusionment with the party's direction under Keir Starmer's leadership, Jones voiced concerns that the Labour Party's current trajectory is insufficiently radical, risking the return of a hard-right Conservative government. He criticized the party for its commitment to austerity, which he believes drives children into poverty, and for supporting policies he equates to war crimes. Jones has urged Labour voters to consider backing the Green Party or independent candidates as alternatives, aiming to shift the political balance and introduce policies that better address the needs of the British public and stand up for human rights. His decision has sparked a mix of support and criticism within the political community, with some accusing him of abandoning the working class, while others, including Green MP Caroline Lucas, have applauded his call for change. Jones highlighted the 'race to the bottom' between Labour and the Tories, endorsing Greens or independents as the viable alternative.
Hi! My column makes clear Labour is going to win by a landslide due to the Tories’ self-destruction. The argument is it will retain Tory policies which have ruined the country. While you’re here, remember when you approached me to help you set up a left-wing pro-Brexit group? https://t.co/alj4jWvgiv
Opinion | Why I will not follow Owen Jones and leave the Labour Party No clique that drunk on its own power will last long 🖋️ @FisherAndrew79 https://t.co/qQddpYKlaM
Keir Starmer's supporters hit back at Owen Jones, suggesting if he cannot accept Labour is a party of government not protest then he won't be missed https://t.co/RCfEkIMpal
I do understand why so many people on the left stick to Labour through thick and thin, and Owen is certainly of that tradition, but Gaza is a red line for him and I suspect many many others. https://t.co/2n1aLz8PkY
Ha ha ha ha ha HA. Very far removed from courage. To save all y'all time, Owen Jones mainly bitches about Gaza yet again; clearly, Hamas matter more to Owen Jones than the British poor & working-class matter. He's of course now pushing voting for the UK Greens or 'independents'. https://t.co/O5nNPxj8lq
Big decision from @OwenJones84. People are desperate for change & it’s deeply sad @UKLabour isn’t offering it. We need a Govt unafraid to tax super rich, invest in Britain, act on climate & stand up for human rights here & abroad. We need Green MPs more than ever to demand better https://t.co/djcnuqmBJG
Owen Jones quits Labour to back new Socialist 'pressure group' swiping that Keir Starmer shuns anyone 'to the Left of Peter Mandelson'... as leader reveals he talks to Tony Blair 'a lot' https://t.co/Q2puPtIke0 https://t.co/8DKtLqv719
Owen Jones urges Labour voters to back other parties https://t.co/I8sWcEPrAW
The amusingly bitter ex-Communist and until recently Murdoch hack could just do his homework next time? My parents weren’t members of any political organisation other than Labour in 1999. They quit Militant in the 1980s, probably before Aaronovitch quit the Communist Party https://t.co/RjZZbyuUMF
The amusingly bitter ex-Communist and until recently Murdoch hack could just do his homework next time? My parents weren’t members of any political organisation in 1999. They quit Militant in the 1980s, probably before David Aaronovitch quit the Communist Party https://t.co/RjZZbyuUMF
Owen Jones misses out a crucial detail in the "my family's loyal history in the Labour party" section of his leaving video. His parents - when they gave him his card at 15 - were members of the entryist Trotskyist sect the Revolutionary Socialist League (or Militant tendency)
My family have been Labour for generations. I joined aged 15. Now I quit, to back Greens or independents. Why? Because Labour is committed to austerity, driving kids into poverty, and war crimes - and destroying anyone who wants an alternative. 👇 https://t.co/HdZmxL8Qwq
The Labour party is in my blood. Here’s why I’ve just cancelled my membership | Owen Jones https://t.co/ZIpYc6zbhC
What a legend. Owen Jones has quit the Labour Party after 24 years as a member, and frankly, I don't blame him. Anyone with a conscience should do the same. Vote Greens 💚 or Independents! https://t.co/DxNXWRRRuE
I absolutely agree with @OwenJones84 , WM Labour cannot be trusted with large majority. We need to vote for independent candidates and green candidates to BALANCE the power , otherwise we will only be changing the faces in WM, while policies more or less will be the same as the… https://t.co/mJgps3ycvl
“We all have political red lines: mine is supporting what would amount to war crimes against innocent civilians, toddlers and newborn babies among them, then gaslighting the public over doing so.” - @OwenJones84 leaves Labour, endorses the Greens. https://t.co/YglIpKEo3d
Owen Jones quit Labour out of principle. Which principle? Grifting. https://t.co/JYq0VoP4nu
I just quit Labour after 24 years. We deserve better than the race to the bottom between Labour and the Tories. Labour want you to think there's no alternative. But there is. Join it: https://t.co/qDe6BzpwS4 https://t.co/e08FLa7lNq
He will no doubt get abused for this, but @OwenJones84 is correct about the state of the Labour Party. Must admit, I quit far sooner, but I'm a natural cynic! https://t.co/gnKkuz6zF4
🚨 NEW: Famous left-wing journalist Owen Jones has cancelled his Labour membership out of frustration at the direction of the party [@guardian]
The Labour party is in my blood. Here’s why I’ve just cancelled my membership. A thoughtful piece by @OwenJones84 you can feel the emotion, sending solidarity as it’s not easy leaving a party which was a big part of your life for so long 💛 https://t.co/WHkVg90r0c
This is an important article from @OwenJones84. In particular the concern is that a Labour government under Starmer will be insufficiently radical to end the disillusionment with British politics and, as a consequence, will allow a hard right Tory party back into power. https://t.co/aLIIUKrWM1
The Labour party is in my blood and in my bones. Here’s why I’ve just cancelled my membership | Owen Jones https://t.co/DqFBEYNwmO