Your Party, whose parliamentary leader is Jeremy Corbyn, is to focus its local election efforts on urban areas with large Muslim populations where Labour support has weakened, backing independent candidates and community groups. The party will support 250 candidates, the majority standing under independent or local banners rather than the Your Party brand.
Party insiders have narrowed their focus to key targets including the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham and Redbridge, as well as cities such as Bradford and Birmingham. These areas have seen Labour’s vote become increasingly vulnerable, particularly among Muslim communities who drifted away over the party’s stance on Gaza.
Labour is braced for huge losses in May, with analysis by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher suggesting it could lose well over 1,000 councillors, potentially even 2,000 if recent byelection trends continue. The pollsters noted that controversy over Middle East policy could hurt Labour again, with pro-Gaza independents looking to make symbolic gains.
“We’re focusing on where we are strongest, places where community independent groups have real roots and real prospects,” a Your Party source said. Another source added: “Muslim voters are deserting Labour in droves – out of disgust at the Gaza genocide, but also at Labour’s inaction over the cost of living. We’re supporting communities to fight back with their own voice.”
Party insiders hope allied groups could take control of at least three councils in east London if the desertion of Labour by leftwing voters continues. In Bradford, the council is expected to fall into no overall control, with allied groups hoping to play a significant role. In Hackney, independent socialists and Greens have reached local agreements not to stand against each other in certain wards.
Corbyn said the local elections would “mark the beginning of the fightback against austerity, privatisation and fear”.
