The newly established left-wing party, Your Party, officially adopted its name following a vote at its first conference held in Liverpool over the weekend. The decision came amidst evident discord among members, with 37.06% voting in favor of the name initially adopted at the party’s launch earlier this year. In contrast, alternatives such as “For The Many” and “Popular Alliance” received 25.23% of the votes each, while “Our Party” garnered 14.19%.
The conference highlighted significant rifts within the party, particularly between its co-founders, Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. Tensions escalated when Sultana, after boycotting the first day of the conference, publicly criticized the leadership for the expulsion of members affiliated with the Socialist Workers Party. Her comments reignited debates over the party’s direction and governance model.
Members voted narrowly, with 51.6% supporting a new member-led executive to guide the party, while 48.4% favored a more traditional leadership structure. Corbyn, who preferred a single leader model, expressed concerns that a collective approach could confuse the public regarding the party’s leadership.
As the conference concluded, members sang “Bella ciao,” a traditional anti-fascist song, which underscored the historical significance of their gathering. Corbyn appealed for unity, acknowledging the frustrations surrounding the party’s formation, and thanked his former chief of staff, Karie Murphy, who has become a contentious figure within the party.
The endorsement of a collective leadership structure temporarily eased the potential for a direct contest between Corbyn and Sultana. Nevertheless, the party’s executive will assess various leadership models, leaving open the possibility of reverting to a traditional structure before the next general election.
Sultana welcomed the collective leadership as a step towards “maximum member democracy,” although critics within the party argue that her vision centers on co-leadership with Corbyn. During her speech, she addressed the internal conflicts that have plagued the party from its inception and described the expulsions of certain members as undemocratic and unacceptable.
The atmosphere at the conference remained charged, with ongoing debates reflecting deep divisions over ideological purity and membership policies. Sultana reiterated her stance against Israel, asserting that Your Party must distance itself from what she termed a “genocidal apartheid state.” Additionally, the membership voted overwhelmingly, with 69.2%Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed from the founding process.
As Your Party grapples with its identity and direction, it faces the challenge of competing for relevance against the Green Party, which has gained momentum under its new leader, Zack Polanski. The future of Your Party remains uncertain as it navigates the complexities of internal politics while aiming to establish itself as a credible voice on the left.
