History of Islington Community Independents

ICI was founded in 2024 by four former Labour councillors, Ilkay Cinko-Oner, Phil Graham, Matt Nathan and Asima Shaikh.

  The group was formed due to growing concerns about the direction of the Labour Party, both locally and nationally. At the heart of that decision was a belief that the party was no longer aligned with the socialist values on which they had built their political lives. 

  ICI is in opposition to the Labour leadership’s stances on major issues, including the conflict in Gaza, continued support for arms sales to Israel, a failure to commit to meaningful change within the NHS, anti-immigration rhetoric and the party’s treatment of grassroots democracy, including the sidelining of local members and representatives. 

 In response, ICI was established as a genuinely local, member-led political alternative, rooted in the belief that communities should have a direct voice in the decisions that affect their lives. 

 Since its formation, ICI has grown into a broader collective of local residents, campaigners and candidates, united by a shared commitment to activism, community power and integrity.