Jeremy Corbyn's newly formed socialist party has emerged from its inaugural national conference in Liverpool, but not without significant internal turmoil and public controversy. The gathering, intended to solidify the foundation of the left-wing movement, was described by critics as a 'sh**show' following a weekend dominated by factional disputes, hardline rhetoric on Palestine, and organisational chaos.
Internal Rifts and Expulsion Row
The conference's first day was immediately overshadowed by a bitter dispute over the expulsion of several members alleged to also belong to the Socialist Workers Party. This move prompted a strong reaction from MP Zara Sultana, who boycotted the opening day in protest, labelling the expulsions a 'witch hunt' against her supporters.
When Sultana did attend on Sunday, she reignited tensions with a speech attacking unnamed figures 'at the top' of the party. She condemned the expulsions as 'unacceptable' and an 'attack on members and this movement', accusing the leadership of using tactics from the 'Labour right's handbook'.
Controversial Stances and Leadership Model
Sultana further stirred controversy during her well-received speech to delegates, where she demanded the party adopt an explicitly 'anti-Zionist' position. She led a chant of the phrase 'from the river to the sea', a slogan many view as antisemitic and calling for Israel's elimination. Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn himself faced criticism from attendees accused of being from a 'revolutionary communist group' for being too soft on Israel.
In a pivotal decision, members voted on the party's future structure. By a narrow margin of 51.6%, they rejected having a single elected leader. Instead, they opted for a collective leadership model favoured by Sultana, which will see the party led by a committee of ordinary members from which MPs will be barred. This model was supported by just under 9,000 of the party's verified membership of 21,035—a figure far short of the 50,000 claimed by Corbyn and the 800,000 expressions of interest previously boasted.
As a result, Corbyn is to be blocked, at least initially, from leading the party he is running on an interim basis. Sultana confirmed she will run for a position on the ruling committee, setting up a potential contest when ballots open in January.
A Festival of Democracy or Disarray?
The conference was marked by further discord, including a speech from a delegate named Joseph, who uses 'she/they' pronouns, attacking the decision to block Socialist Workers Party members. In a move likely to prompt further chaos, members later voted to allow dual membership with other Trotskyist groups.
Sultana also used the platform to call for the abolition of the monarchy, labelling Prince Andrew a 'parasite'. The event closed with a rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine' as members shuffled out.
Despite the evident friction, a party spokesperson framed the weekend as 'a festival of democracy', breaking with the 'Westminster mould of top-down politics'. Jeremy Corbyn, closing the conference, acknowledged the 'frustrations' and struggles in setting up the party but insisted 'we have come a long way'. Councillor James Giles, one of those barred, told BBC Radio 4 the party had experienced 'a bit of a bumpy road' and 'factionalism'.
