The newly formed Your Party has officially ruled out adopting a model of co-leadership in the immediate future, following a series of very public disagreements between its two most prominent figures, Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.
This significant decision comes ahead of the party's founding conference in Liverpool this weekend, where members are scheduled to vote on the future leadership structure of the organisation.
A Turbulent Start and Internal Division
The party's first few months have been marked by significant internal strife. The conflict between Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana came to a head over a botched membership launch, which even prompted threats of legal action.
The dispute began when supporters received an email inviting them to officially sign up and provide financial backing to the party. Zarah Sultana complained that this episode exposed a "sexist boys' club" culture. In a swift rebuttal, Jeremy Corbyn disavowed the communication, labelling it an "unauthorised email" and using social media to warn people not to sign up via the provided link.
At the time, the former Labour leader and Independent MP for Islington North stated that "legal advice is being taken" over the incident, highlighting the severity of the internal rift.
MP Departures and Leadership Models
Compounding the party's early troubles, two of the six MPs who helped establish the outfit have now departed. Iqbal Mohamed, MP for Dewsbury and Batley, announced his decision to leave Your Party and continue serving as an Independent MP.
This followed Adnan Hussain, the MP for Blackburn, who withdrew from the party's "steering process" earlier in the month. Mr Hussain cited serious concerns about factionalism and what he described as "veiled prejudice" against Muslims. He expressed his disillusionment, stating the project had become mired in "persistent infighting, factional competition, and a struggle for power, position and influence."
For the short term, the party will choose between two leadership models to be in place until a permanent structure is decided:
- The Single Leader Model: One leader will be elected by the end of February 2026 for a maximum period of 21 months.
- The Collective Leadership Model: The chair and deputy chair of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) will provide leadership for the party.
While co-leadership is off the table for now, a member-led review will explore options such as deputy leadership and co-leadership in the longer term, once the party is more established across Scotland and Wales.
Founding Conference and Party Identity
This weekend's conference in Liverpool is set to be a critical moment for the fledgling party. Both Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana are scheduled to speak.
Members will not only vote on the leadership structure but will also be asked to decide on the party's final name, with options to be revealed shortly. Furthermore, political debates will take place to define the party's core identity, including whether it should explicitly identify as socialist.
A Your Party spokesperson framed the conference as a break from the political norm, stating: "The mainstream parties are failing us because they are run by and for billionaires and corporations, not ordinary people. Your Party will be different, relentlessly accountable to its members and the communities we strive to represent. Our Founding Conference will be a festival of democracy."
