Jeremy Corbyn has declared that he is to contest the general election in the Islington North constituency he has represented since 1983.

He will stand as an independent, he announced earlier today, since the Starmer leadership of Labour has barred him from representing the party.

Labour locally is now being forced to choose a new candidate from a shortlist of two imposed by the national party.

Mr Corbyn, whose enormous local popularity is acknowledged even by his opponents, said:

“I believe in democracy.

“Local Labour Party members in Islington North have been prevented from choosing their own candidate, which has disempowered everyone in the community.

“I am appalled at the way local people have been treated. We have to stand up and defend our rights. That is why I am standing to be an independent candidate for the people of Islington North.

“I joined the Labour Party when I was 16 years old. I hope people who have always supported Labour will understand why I have taken this decision, and that I am here to represent the people of Islington North on exactly the same principles that I’ve stood by my whole life: social justice, human rights and peace.

“Our campaign will fight for the bold demands that are being made up and down the country, based on the values that have bound our community together for 40 years.

“One, for a more equal society. It is an absolute disgrace that 4.2 million children are living in poverty in the sixth largest economy in the world. We must scrap the 2-child benefits cap, and introduce a wealth tax to fund decent pay rises for all, and rebuild our crumbling public services.

“Two, for housing justice. We need rent controls, a massive council-house-building programme, and urgent leasehold reform. Everyone deserves a decent, warm, safe and comfortable place to live – is that really such a radical idea?

“Three, for a greener Islington. I will be a local voice for a global Green New Deal that puts people before profit. Stop bailing out failing companies and bring water and energy (as well as rail and mail) into public ownership!

“Four, for a fully-public, fully funded NHS. Austerity and privatisation are the causes, not the solution, to the crisis in our NHS. I will never take donations from private healthcare, and as your MP I will always defend the principle of free, universal healthcare.

“And finally, we will campaign for an alternative to endless war. I will continue to defend human rights for everybody and speak up for a world of peace. That also means defending the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees. Islington has a proud history of welcoming refugees.

“Whoever the Prime Minister is, I’ll be holding them to account. That’s because I am here to serve the people of Islington North with the same dedication, the same values, and the same thirst for social justice that I have always had.”

“With your support, I will continue to use my voice in Parliament to defend the transformative policies this country needs.”

The former Labour leader received immediate backing from the RMT union.

Its general secretary Mick Lynch said: “We are supporting Jeremy Corbyn because his track record of supporting RMT members, being a friend of our union and having strong traditional Labour values is second to none. 

“RMT is supporting a range of Labour and socialist candidates at the next general election. 

“Our NEC will meet in the coming weeks to formulate our approach on July 4.”

The former Labour leader is expected to draw  enormous support from across the country and appealed today for pledges of support at http://www.votecorbyn.com .