Forwards comrades: the Left marches on

JEREMY CORBYN, John McDonnell and Diane Abbott are among a dozen Leftwingers from the Labour movement standing as candidates in London at the election.

- Nicholas Cecil

The ex-Labour leader, 75, is in a showdown in Islington North, where as an independent he is against Labour's candidate, local councillor Praful Nargund. A YouGov MRP poll showed Mr Nargund ahead, but Mr Corbyn close to a shock victory as he was only five points behind, so this contest was put down as a "toss up" as to who will win.

Mr Corbyn's shadow home secretary Ms Abbott, 70, is standing again to be MP in Hackney North and Stoke Newington, after winning a row with Labour chiefs accused of trying to bar her from being the party's candidate. She became Britain's first black female MP when she was elected in 1987, was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party in a row over anti-semitism last year, but then had the whip restored.

Mr Corbyn's shadow chancellor Mr McDonnell, 72, is standing in Hayes and Harlington, a seat that the veteran Leftwinger has represented since 1997.