The newly formed left-wing political group, Your Party, is braced for a protracted internal conflict, with insiders warning that a proxy war between factions loyal to Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana is now inevitable. This follows a pivotal vote at the party's inaugural conference over the weekend, where members narrowly chose a collective leadership model over a direct contest for a sole leader.
A Battle for the Soul of the Party
By a slim margin, members voted for the party to be initially guided by a 16-strong central executive committee, averting an immediate and potentially divisive head-to-head battle between the two most prominent figures: former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and former Labour MP Zarah Sultana. Both now sit as independent MPs. However, party sources indicate this decision merely shifts the battleground.
"We're long past happy families," one insider stated bluntly. The source explained that the collective model means the battle continues, but via their representatives. "We have avoided, by a members' vote, the one-to-one leadership contest, but it's still basically a battle for the soul of the party."
The rift between Corbyn and Sultana has defined much of the party's brief existence, stemming from disagreements over its launch and financial management. Tensions were palpable at the Liverpool conference, where Sultana boycotted the first day in protest after some of her supporters were expelled for holding membership in other political parties.
Leadership Structure and Future Risks
Under the adopted model, the governing executive will comprise 16 ordinary members alongside the party's four sitting MPs: Corbyn, Sultana, Shockat Adam, and Ayoub Khan. This committee will elect roles such as chair, vice-chair, and a spokesperson to act as the public face of the party.
Concerns remain that the executive could become dominated by one faction, risking a walkout by the other. One source speculated, "If she [Sultana] wins, the others walk, and she can be at the helm of a coalition of the sects." Another source offered a more optimistic view, arguing that avoiding a direct contest was a "de-escalatory option" crucial for party unity. "Going straight into a leadership contest between Zarah and Jeremy would definitely be sub-optimal right now," they said.
Electoral Strategy and the Road Ahead
In a significant policy move, Your Party members also voted to adopt a "targeted" electoral strategy, focusing resources on seats where it has a realistic chance of winning. This decision is seen as a step towards a potential electoral alliance with the Green Party, aimed at avoiding splitting the left-wing vote in next year's local elections.
While no formal pact exists, and any deals would need local negotiation with the Greens, the possibility opens doors in areas like Hackney, east London. There, Green councillor Zoë Garbett is mounting a strong challenge in the borough's mayoral election.
Despite the internal divisions, there is a recognition that the infighting must cease for the party to survive. "The conference was what it was. It was democratic, it was messy," a source concluded. "I don't think the disagreements have to be terminal, but they have to be finite." The weekend also saw members formally adopt the 'Your Party' name, which had been used as a placeholder since its launch earlier this year.
