Second MP Departs Your Party in Blow to Corbyn and Sultana
In a significant blow to the fledgling leftwing movement, Iqbal Mohamed has become the second MP to resign from Your Party within a week. The independent MP for Dewsbury and Batley announced his departure, dealing another heavy blow to the group co-led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana and casting further doubt on its viability.
A Decision After 'False Allegations'
In a statement published on the social media platform X, Mohamed explained that his decision to leave was a result of 'after careful consideration'. He pointed to 'many false allegations and smears' made against him and others as the primary reason for his exit, though he did not provide specific details about these claims.
Mohamed expressed his disappointment, stating, "The many false allegations and smears made against me and others, and reported as fact without evidence, have been surprising and disappointing. However, I am confident that my colleagues and I have acted professionally, patiently, and in good faith throughout." He confirmed he would continue to serve as an independent MP.
Deep-Rooted Internal Conflict and Financial Disputes
Mohamed's resignation follows the acrimonious departure of fellow independent MP Adnan Hussain just last Friday. Hussain cited 'persistent infighting and a struggle for power' within the organisation as his reason for leaving.
The internal strife came to a head recently when Mohamed, Hussain, Corbyn, and two other independent MPs signed a public Your Party statement. This statement accused co-leader Zarah Sultana of unnecessarily delaying the transfer of £850,000 in donations. This move reportedly infuriated Sultana, with her allies accusing the other MPs of attempting to undermine her, suggesting the timing was intended to damage her appearance on BBC One's Question Time and her potential leadership ambitions.
The dispute over party funds originates from the early days of the party when a membership portal was launched before a formal structure or bank account was established. Donations were directed to a company called MOU Operations Ltd, which now lists Sultana as its sole director. While the intention was to pass the funds to the party, Your Party officials claimed they urgently needed the £850,000 to run their inaugural conference. Allies of Sultana countered that she was acting as fast as legally possible. More of the money has since been transferred, temporarily calming that particular row.
However, new tensions have emerged ahead of the party's first conference, scheduled for the weekend after next in Liverpool. Some figures aligned with Corbyn have been annoyed by Sultana's decision to hold her own pre-conference rally on the Friday night before the official event begins, billing it as a Your Party event despite it being solely organised by her.
With two MPs now having quit in quick succession and public disagreements over finances and events, the future of Your Party appears increasingly uncertain as it approaches a critical moment in its development.
