The British socialist politician, who previously criticized U.S. politicians’ meddling in UK elections as “totally unacceptable interference in our democracy,” is now facing scrutiny after being expelled from his own party due to an anti-Semitism controversy. He recently held a phone bank for New York mayoral candidate Congressman Zoran Mamdani (D).
Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the Labor Party and a long-time figure on Britain’s socialist left, stated he was “hosting a phone bank” to encourage voters to back Zoran Mamdani in the upcoming New York mayoral election on Tuesday. Emphasizing his support, Corbyn declared, “Let’s get Zoran across the finish line for an affordable New York for everyone!”
In this election, Mr. Mamdani’s main rival, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, criticized Corbyn’s association with anti-Semitism while he was leading the Labor Party. Responding to Corbyn’s phone bank efforts, Cuomo remarked, “[Mamdani] says everything you need to know.”
“New York doesn’t need a politics of moral compromise. We need leadership that rejects anti-Semitism, extremism, and divisiveness in all its forms and corners,” Cuomo added.
This campaign event has drawn attention from the U.S. Department of Justice, as foreign interference laws are strictly enforced. Harmeet Dhillon has pointed out this involvement. The participation of British left-wing activists in U.S. elections has been controversial, especially after a Labor politician was recorded campaigning for Kamala Harris in 2024, raising significant legal questions.
Reports suggest that, according to U.S. Federal Election Commission rules, while foreign nationals can volunteer for political campaigns, they are prohibited from paying salaries, contributing funds, or taking on leadership roles. Therefore, it’s really up to the FEC to figure out if these laws are being followed.
Aside from these legal concerns, there’s also a hint of hypocrisy when it comes to Mr. Corbyn. In the past, he has vocally opposed the involvement of U.S. politicians in UK elections, famously describing President Trump’s remarks during the 2019 UK general election, which Corbyn’s Labor Party lost, as “totally unacceptable interference in our democracy.”
Corbyn resigned after the 2019 election and was expelled from the Labor Party when Sir Keir Starmer took over in the 2020 leadership election.
The UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported serious deficiencies in handling anti-Semitism accusations during Corbyn’s leadership, which he dismissed as “grossly exaggerated for political reasons.” This dismissal provided the grounds for the new leadership to expel him from the party.
Having spent several years as an independent MP, Corbyn has been trying to form a new political faction known as Everyone’s Party, focusing on issues related to Gaza. However, this endeavor faces challenges, especially with his complicated relationship with Zarah Sultana, who seems to want to push Corbyn out.
