Zarah Sultana boycotted the first day of Your Party’s inaugural conference on Saturday, throwing the event into disarray amid deepening divisions with co-founder Jeremy Corbyn over the party’s leadership structure. The MP for Coventry South refused to enter the conference hall in Liverpool in solidarity with delegates expelled for alleged links to other left-wing parties, describing the process as a “witch-hunt”.
Corbyn confirmed he favours a single leader and is likely to stand for the role, while Sultana supports collective leadership, arguing that parties should not be run by “sole personalities”. Delegates will vote on whether to elect a single leader or a collective of lay members who are not MPs or councillors. The Guardian understands Sultana will run against Corbyn if members choose the single-leader model.
The dispute over expulsions centres on claims that some members were barred for belonging to the Socialist Workers Party (SWP). Corbyn initially said the SWP was registered with the Electoral Commission, making it a separate party, but it later emerged that the SWP is not registered. A spokesperson for Sultana said: “This witch-hunt is indefensible. We must build a party that welcomes all socialists.”
A Your Party spokesperson denied the allegations, stating: “Members of another national political party signed up to Your Party in contravention of clearly stated membership rules – and these rules were enforced.” It is understood that Sultana will attend the conference on Sunday to deliver a planned speech.
The rift has been brewing since July, when Sultana defected from Labour and announced she and Corbyn would co-lead the new party. Allies of Corbyn quickly briefed that no final decision had been made. Sultana likened their relationship to that of Noel and Liam Gallagher, but her boycott is likely to strain relations further.
Both Corbyn and Sultana have indicated they would consider electoral pacts with other left-wing parties, including the Greens, to prevent Nigel Farage from entering Downing Street. The conference continues in Liverpool with members set to decide on the party’s leadership model.
