Your Party: A Chance For Redemption Or Further Fragmentation Of The Left?

The sudden announcement of a new left-wing party led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana shook UK politics. The new movement has already achieved a record breaking membership, reaching over half a million people. Yet, almost imminently, the party faced inner party divisions, causing the co-founders to face mass criticism across the media and on the left. Understandably, the potential of “Your Party’ is now somewhat marred. Could it fragment the left vote, creating opportunities for Reform to gain ground, and paving the way for the forces of the right to rise yet further in the polls? Or has Your Party already fizzled out?

Zarah Sultana announced in July that she would be resigning from the Labour Party with the intention of starting a new movement with Jeremy Corbyn, the party’s former leader. Sultana, alongside seven other members, had the whip removed in July 2024 after siding with the Scottish National Party. They rebelled against the Labour Government, voting for an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap - legislation that excludes parents from claiming Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit for more than two children. For Corbyn, it was only a matter of time before he would lose the Labour whip after his leadership. He lost his whip in 2020 due to disputes regarding the findings of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. The Commission found that the Labour Party had “serious failings” under Corbyn’s leadership, stemming from his alleged antisemitic comments. Whilst Corbyn claimed the scale of the problem was massively exaggerated by the media and internal enemies, Keir Starmer responded that he was “deeply disappointed” by Corbyn’s comments. Labour subsequently released a statement suspending Corbyn from the party.

The ousted Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn created their own party, provisionally naming it ‘Your Party’. Together, they released a joint statement condemning the Downing Street regime, highlighting everyday struggles, such as rising bills amidst the cost-of-living crisis. They emphasised the Government’s hypocrisy, claiming that they do not have “money for the poor, but billions for war”. Their party advocates for a mass redistribution of wealth and power, a message warmly received by the British public, with over half a million people signing up to the party upon the announcement. There are reasons for hope for the left as solidarity has been evident. Zack Polanski, the new Green Party leader, expressed interest in working with the party, while emphasising that the decision would remain with Green Party members. Despite a lack of branding, with no official name confirmed, Your Party are already aiming to win elections. Many locals have attended the first party meeting in Swindon, hoping to build a team and contest future seats. With an inaugural conference planned for the near future, those on the left can be hopeful for genuine change and a radical shift in the UK’s political system.

However, the honeymoon period of the new party has abruptly reached an end. The eruption of the conflict between Sultana and Corbyn exploded over the media, causing mass controversy and distrust with the public. It began after an email was sent from the party announcing £55 memberships, to which Corbyn immediately dismissed, stating that this action was ‘unauthorised’ and they are seeking legal action, in a statement signed by Jeremy Corbyn, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, Iqbal Mohammed and Shockat Adam, all founding members but Sultana. Following this, her statement on social media depicted the inner workings of the party, where she described it to be a ‘sexist boys club’ having been excluded completely and her voting rights, alongside other women in the party, completely dismissed. She furthered her defence by stating that her sole initiative was to allow supporters to further ‘engage’, ‘organise’ and ‘safeguard the grassroots involvement’ of the party. She subsequently called for transparency within the party, to ensure that nothing of the sort would happen again. Supporters were quick to call out the behaviour of the two, labelling it as ‘embarrassing’ and ‘frustrating’, destroying hopes for change and expediting  the mistrust the public already have for politicians. 

The creation of Your Party signals a new era, people want change and are excited to see it. Yet, the discord between Sultana and Corbyn, although prima facie resolved, has left many sceptical. If they clashed so acrimoniously over a membership scheme, how might they contest domestic and foreign policy if they won the next election? The first party conference, to be held in November, will give them the chance to prove that they are fit to run the country unified, with their priority lying with the people, rather than divisive control. However, it’s apparent that Sultana and Corbyn have a lot of work to do to rebuild the trust with the left.

Ultimately, the left faces a rupture. Keir Starmer is pushing the Labour Party closer to the right and the noise of the radical right is echoing louder in our social and political spheres. In a climate of political apathy, an ongoing living crisis, with growing tension between the public and the government, many are quick to turn to populist ideals and politics that scream the loudest. With the next election approaching, the contest for smaller parties will test who will win the hearts and minds of the British public.  Whether Your Party reshapes our political system or fractures it, it is clear that Britain’s political centre is no longer secure.

Illustration: Will Allen/Europinion