🔗 Share this article

At the idea of a recent leftwing party fronted by the former Labour leader and the Coventry South MP was first mooted in the summer, it attracted huge support that countless individuals expressed an interest in participating.

Although it was almost immediately plagued by internal conflicts – its founders rowed bitterly over its initial leadership and revenue strategy – many anticipated this weekend's inaugural conference would represent a fresh start.

Disappointing First Day

A significant portion of the attendees are former Labour members, unhappy about the direction of the incumbent leadership and looking for a new party as they fear the increasing popularity of the competing political group.

When arrangements for the party's inaugural conference were finalised, Sultana and Corbyn appeared to resolved their differences. Appearing at a leftwing festival in Manchester last month, Sultana jokingly compared the partnership to the well-known duo, remarking: “I’m here to tell you the party is active again.”

However when the gates to the conference centre in Liverpool welcomed attendees on Saturday morning, Sultana was conspicuously absent. As Corbyn gave his introductory speech, she was sipping hot chocolate in a restaurant about a mile from the conference site.

Structure Disagreement

The situation revealed there was little agreement on how the party ought to be governed. Corbyn told journalists he supported a traditional leadership model, with a single individual chosen to lead, and indicated he’d be prepared to compete if members selected this option.

But, in an conversation, Sultana said she was backing a collective leadership structure, with crucial policies being taken by ordinary participants – those not currently acting as political representatives. She added that she did not think parties should be run by “sole personalities”. She did, nonetheless, indicate she would be ready to compete opposing Corbyn if there was a vote for a single leader.

Toxic Culture

Despite Sultana claiming she and the former Labour leader were getting on “really well” – they had, she said, talked about how they desired the conference to be “a positive, joyful experience where members feel empowered” – she was highly critical about some of his allies and Your Party officials whom she thinks are undermining her. She declined to identify individuals, but it is known that the relationship between her followers and Corbyn’s previous top advisor Karie Murphy are particularly fraught.

The elected representative – who left Labour in July – also mentioned that there was still a “toxic culture” among certain members of Your Party, which had led to “bullying, intimidation and smears” and “planned interference”.

Boycott and Internal Divisions

Tensions escalated significantly around the afternoon when it emerged Sultana would avoid the first day of the conference, in support for potential participants who had been turned away from the event due to membership in other progressive movements – particularly the the SWP. Her representative described this as a “political persecution”, adding: “It is essential to create a party that embraces every left-wing supporter.”

Supporters of Corbyn – who incorrectly claimed on Saturday morning that the Socialist Workers party was listed by the election authority – were angry, claiming Sultana was seeking to orchestrate a “sideshow”. They believe allowing multiparty membership would cause disruption and worsen internal divisions which already looks to have hindered the fledgling movement.

Concerning the standing of the the political group, one associate said: “Although it isn't registered with the election authority but it is clearly an organization. The name speaks for itself.”

Disappointment Among Attendees

Many delegates were annoyed that Saturday’s activities turned into group conflicts when they would have preferred to focus on important topics such as the cost of living crisis and migration policy, as well as strategising for next year’s municipal votes.

Your Party is has not determined if it will field its own candidates or support independent socialists and some members believe the party will have failed if it is not on the ballot paper as an option besides Labour.

Hope for Day Two

The outcome is uncertain if the conference can be salvaged on Sunday, when the results of important ballots – such as the final designation and governance model – will be revealed. Sultana plans to attend and speak to the crowd, which has comforted those who still desire cohesion.

However the majority of attendees remained discouraged as they departed of the event venue into a rainy Liverpool night on Saturday. Perhaps the mood of the day was summed up by one delegate, who said: “My large glass of wine is transforming into a entire container.”