In a powerful and defiant address, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, standing alongside firebrand MP Zarah Sultana, has proclaimed the birth of a new "happy, united" left-wing movement, signalling a direct challenge to the current leadership of the Labour Party.
A Movement for the 'Left Out'
The rally, held to mark the launch of 'The Independent', a new publication backed by the Peace and Justice Project, became a platform for a stark critique of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour. Mr Corbyn, who now sits as an independent MP after being suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party, declared that their new initiative is for the millions who feel "ignored, left out, and left behind" by the political mainstream.
"We are here to build a different kind of politics," Corbyn asserted, framing the movement as a grassroots alternative to what he described as a establishment consensus.
Sultana's Scathing Attack on Starmer's Labour
Zarah Sultana, the MP for Coventry South, delivered a blistering speech that pulled no punches. She accused the contemporary Labour Party under Keir Starmer of "dancing to the tune of the ruling class" and abandoning its core principles.
Key accusations levelled by Sultana included:
- Allegedly reneging on flagship green investment pledges.
- Failing to staunchly defend the rights of striking workers.
- Offering only "rhetorical" support for the Palestinian cause without substantive policy action.
She passionately argued that the new movement would fill the void left by Labour's shift to the centre, declaring, "We are the opposition."
The Independent: A Media Voice for the Left
The event served as the launchpad for 'The Independent', a newspaper and website intended to provide a platform for progressive voices often marginalised in the mainstream media. This publication is a cornerstone of the strategy to build a cohesive political force outside of traditional party structures.
Mr Corbyn emphasised that the goal is not merely to critique but to actively build a "kind, caring, anti-racist society" from the ground up, focusing on community organising and clear political messaging.
A United Front Against the Establishment
The rally showcased a coalition of left-wing figures, including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and MPs like Apsana Begum and Nadia Whittome. This display of unity underscores a concerted effort to consolidate the left of British politics into a potent force, independent of the Labour whip.
While the immediate aim is not to form a new political party, the creation of this movement, complete with its own media outlet, marks a significant escalation in the internal conflict on the British left. It poses a direct challenge to Keir Starmer's authority and his attempt to present a unified Labour Party to the electorate.
