The launch conference for the new left-wing political movement, Your Party, descended into immediate turmoil this weekend, as co-founder Zarah Sultana staged a dramatic boycott of the first day's proceedings.
A Plea for Unity Overshadowed by Division
Addressing over 2,000 delegates at the ACC Liverpool arena, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn made an impassioned opening speech urging for cohesion. "We've got to come together," he declared, warning against the dangers of "division and disunity" for the fledgling party. He framed the moment as a critical opportunity to "build that party, build that society, and campaign forevermore for real socialism and real social justice."
His appeal for a fresh start followed a difficult few months for the organisation, which has been plagued by internal disputes over donations, a problematic membership launch, and the departure of two independent MPs, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed.
Sultana's Boycott and 'Witch Hunt' Allegations
Within hours of Corbyn's speech, the event was thrown into chaos. Co-founder and former Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who helped launch the party this summer, made a brief appearance outside the conference centre instead of entering the hall.
She condemned the expulsion of several members on the eve of the conference, including one of her supporters, Kingston councillor James Giles, who was denied entry. "We're not here to expel people - we're not here to build the culture of witch hunt," Sultana told a gathered scrum of journalists, branding the actions "indefensible." Her spokeswoman confirmed she would not be entering the conference hall that day, stating the party must "welcome all socialists."
A Fractured Unity and a New Leadership Model
Sultana ended her temporary boycott on the second day, taking to the stage to deliver a keynote speech where she apologised for "hiccups" in the founding process. She expressed sympathy for activists who had "travelled across the country... spent hundreds of pounds they could not easily spare" only to find themselves barred.
Despite the friction, the conference saw a significant decision from the membership. In a vote, they rejected a traditional single leadership model – reportedly favoured by Corbyn – and instead opted for a committee of "ordinary members" to lead the party until late 2027.
Concluding the inaugural event on Sunday, Corbyn announced the result of another members' vote: the party would officially keep its working title, Your Party. He issued a final, perhaps more pointed, call for unity as the party embarks on its unconventional leadership path: "It is important that we all absolutely work together... and recognise what we say and what we do has huge implications for people all over this country." Whether that call will be heeded this time remains the pressing question for the nascent movement.
