Jennie Formby, Former Labour General Secretary, Joins Green Party in Major Defection
Jennie Formby, who served as Labour's general secretary from 2018 to 2020, has publicly announced her defection to the Green party. In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Formby revealed she signed up as a Green member four months ago and plans to campaign for the party ahead of the local elections in May. This move underscores a growing trend of senior allies of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn migrating to the Greens, even as Corbyn himself attempts to establish his own left-wing alternative, Your Party.
Criticism of Labour's Corporate Ties and Leadership
Formby, a former political director of the Unite union, expressed strong criticism of the current Labour leadership under Keir Starmer. She stated, "I am increasingly concerned by seeing the extent to which Labour is in hock to corporate sponsors." Formby accused Starmer of reneging on promises made during his leadership campaign, saying, "He does not have a set of principles which he is willing to stick to." Her defection was partly motivated by Labour's treatment of MPs who signed a letter calling for a peace deal in Ukraine that addressed Russia's security concerns.
Green Party's Strategic Shift and Growing Influence
Under the leadership of Zack Polanski, the Green party has undergone a significant transformation, shifting focus from purely environmental issues to broader economic policies. Polanski has emphasized topics such as tax increases, economic justice, and the cost of living, recently announcing that the party will prioritize mental health, social cohesion, and community welfare over GDP as measures of success. This strategic pivot has resonated with voters, boosting the party's poll numbers from 10% to 16% and helping it secure former Labour strongholds like Gorton and Denton.
Influx of Corbyn Allies and Policy Heft
The defection of figures like Formby, along with former Labour adviser James Meadway and ex-North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll, provides the Greens with enhanced policy and organizational capabilities. However, this influx also risks distancing the party from its environmental roots. Other recent joiners include Michael Chessum and Joe Todd from the left-wing organisation Momentum, and former Corbyn adviser David Prescott. Chessum noted, "[The Green party] is in the process of being re-founded... It's about becoming a mass party of the left."
Labour's Response and Future Implications
A Labour source responded to the defections by stating, "The Green party has the wrong answers for Britain." They criticized the Greens for opposing housing and clean energy schemes and lacking credible proposals for working people. Despite this, Green party membership has more than tripled from 68,500 last September to 220,000 this month, indicating a surge in support. Formby denied that Corbyn supporters are merely re-forming their movement in a new party, asserting, "I think this movement is new, and has a lot of energy... it's something people are very excited about."
This defection highlights ongoing divisions within the UK political left and signals potential shifts in voter alignment as the Greens gain momentum with a broader economic agenda.
