The inaugural conference for the new left-wing political project, provisionally named Your Party, has been overshadowed by significant internal divisions, expulsions, and a public snub between its two most prominent figures.
A Divided Front
As the party prepared for its founding conference in Liverpool, tensions between co-founders Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn became publicly apparent when Sultana declined to invite the former Labour leader to her pre-conference rally on Friday evening. Instead, Corbyn hosted his own separate 'evening of politics and culture' that directly coincided with Sultana's speech.
At her gathering, Sultana acknowledged the troubled start for the organisation, apologising for what she termed 'hiccups' in the party's first few months. 'I would never forgive myself for weakening the party that we desperately need,' she told attendees. 'You might have noticed a few hiccups in this process, some of that has been my fault, and for that, I am sorry.'
Expulsions and Accusations
The conference opening was further marred by the controversial expulsion of members who also held membership with the Socialist Workers Party. Your Party sources cited concerns that SWP supporters were planning to disrupt the conference, though they officially stated dual membership as the reason for removal.
Lewis Nielsen, National Secretary of the SWP, strongly criticised the decision, calling it the work of 'an unelected clique with no democratic mandate'. In a statement shared on social media, Nielsen revealed he and other SWP members received expulsion emails just hours before the conference began.
'Instead of building the insurgent left party we need to stop Farage, fight Starmer and stand with Palestine,' Nielsen stated, 'those running YP have turned their focus on socialists who have been fighting to build YP on the ground.'
When questioned about the expulsions, Sultana expressed her disagreement with the decision, stating she would reinstate those removed and criticising what she described as 'a culture of paranoia at the very top'. She emphasised the need to avoid 'witch hunts' and create a unifying rather than 'toxic' culture on the left.
Broader Troubles for the New Party
The tensions extend beyond the SWP expulsions, with two Independent MPs withdrawing their support for Your Party earlier this month. Iqbal Mohamed, MP for Dewsbury and Batley, cited 'false allegations and smears against me and others', while Adnan Hussain, MP for Blackburn, pointed to 'persistent infighting' and 'veiled prejudice' against Muslim men.
Further highlighting the strained relationship between the party's leaders, Corbyn notably declined to call Sultana a 'friend' during a Sky News interview on Saturday, instead referring to her as a 'colleague in Parliament' with whom he 'communicates'.
This follows a previous dispute between the two earlier this year that resulted in a botched membership launch and threats of legal action. The conflict emerged when Sultana promoted a payment system for the new party that Corbyn disowned as an 'unauthorised email', asking supporters not to donate. Sultana subsequently claimed she faced a 'sexist boys' club' and threatened defamation action before eventually reconciling with Corbyn.
Conference Agenda and Future Direction
Despite the rocky start, the two-day conference in Liverpool will see members vote on several crucial matters that will shape the party's future. Delegates will choose from a shortlist of potential names including Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance and For the Many, with Corbyn scheduled to announce the result on Sunday.
Another significant decision involves the party's leadership structure, debating whether to adopt a traditional single leader or embrace a 'collective lay-member' leadership model supported by Sultana for the first two years.
More than 2,500 members are attending the event, where they will also consider whether the party should back 'socialist' independent candidates at the May 2026 local elections.
A party spokesman insisted the focus remained on 'a positive member-led weekend' and that 'Zarah and Jeremy are united in that vision'. The party claims to have approximately 50,000 members in total.
Speaking to the New Statesman before the conference, Corbyn acknowledged the challenging launch. 'For any misdemeanours on my part, of course I apologise, but I want to make this thing work,' he said. 'I'm sorry if you are at all disappointed.' He emphasised that creating a democratic, serious left voice to challenge established parties would 'never be an easy road' but expressed confidence they could achieve their goals through cooperation.
