The likely Green candidate for Islington North this afternoon said voters are at their “wits’ end” with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn over his handling of the EU referendum.

The veteran MP has represented the constituency for 34 years, and won a huge majority of 21,194 in 2015. But Cllr Caroline Russell, who stood against Mr Corbyn in that election, believes there has been a shift in attitude since Brexit: which 75 per cent of Islington voted against.

Responding to Prime Minister Theresa May calling a June 8 election this morning, Cllr Russell told the Gazette: “From our recent door knocking, a lot of people we had down as staunch Labour supporters are at their wits’ end with the way Jeremy played the referendum, and the period afterwards.

“A lot of people are saying they are leaving the Labour Party and voting Green. There’s an awful lot of frustration towards him.

“But of course, we don’t know how it will play out. Islington North is a strong Labour area – always has been – with huge majorities. But there has definitely been a change in attitude, and people should vote according to their values.”

Though the Green candidate for Islington North has yet to be announced, Cllr Russell is putting herself forward and would be confident of selection given her status as the borough’s highest profile Green. She is the only opposition member of Labour controlled Islington Council, and is a member of the London Assembly.

She came third in the 2015 election with 5,043 votes. Mr Corbyn won 29,659. He was not available for comment when contacted by the Gazette this morning.