The fledgling socialist movement founded by Jeremy Corbyn, Your Party, is already embroiled in a damaging internal civil war that threatens to derail its first major conference before it has even begun.
A Founding Partnership Turns Sour
What began as a promising political partnership between Jeremy Corbyn, the MP for Islington North, and Zarah Sultana, the MP for Coventry South, has rapidly deteriorated into an increasingly bitter dispute. The two left-wing MPs collaborated to launch Your Party earlier this year with the ambition of creating a radical left-wing rival to the Labour Party.
However, the party has been dogged by consistent infighting since its inception. The tensions have become so severe that Ms Sultana now risks being blocked from speaking at the movement's inaugural gathering in Liverpool later this month. A senior party source confirmed that she would need to be on speaking terms with conference organisers to secure a slot, stating, 'The problem is she isn't on anything approaching speaking terms.'
Deepening Rifts and Political Fallout
The schism between the two founders was further highlighted by the revelation that Mr Corbyn was not invited to an eve-of-conference rally being staged by Ms Sultana. This sold-out event in Liverpool is advertised for those committed to pushing Your Party towards a 'radical, principled, unapologetically socialist programme' and to build momentum for a party that stands 'firmly against imperialism and Zionism.'
The internal turmoil has already had significant consequences. Last week, Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain pulled out of efforts to set up Your Party, citing 'damaging internal disputes' over the party's structure and governance. In a damning statement, Mr Hussain expressed his disillusionment with 'persistent infighting, factional competition, and a struggle for power, position and influence.' He also claimed to be 'deeply troubled' by the way certain figures, particularly Muslim men, had been treated within the new party.
Financial and Structural Problems
The foundation of Your Party has been marred by operational failures, including a botched membership launch and threats of legal action. The Independent Alliance of MPs, which includes Mr Corbyn and Mr Hussain, revealed that the party is still attempting to recover money donated by supporters after Ms Sultana promoted a new membership portal that was later disowned as an 'unauthorised email'.
They stated that only a 'small portion' of the funds had been transferred to the official Your Party, which was 'insufficient', and demanded the immediate transfer of all donated money intended to get the new party off the ground. This financial disarray, combined with the very public feud between its most prominent figures, poses an existential threat to the party's viability.
Compounding these issues is the surging popularity of the Green Party under new leader Zack Polanski, which appears to be successfully winning over the very disillusioned Labour voters that Your Party was created to attract. With its founding conference in Liverpool on November 29-30 fast approaching, Your Party faces a critical test of its unity and purpose, battling internal collapse before it has even properly begun its political fight.
