Key Takeaways
- The leftwing party formed by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana is asking its 50,000 members to choose a name from a shortlist of four options: Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance, and For The Many.
- The party is holding its first conference in Liverpool, where members will agree on the party’s structures, programme, and organisational strategy.
- The conference will feature speeches from the party’s MPs, grassroots community organisers, and leftwing politicians from across Europe.
- Members will debate whether the party should adopt a single leader or a collective leadership model, and whether to support socialist independents in the 2026 English local elections.
- The party has been plagued by infighting and disagreements, with two MPs already quitting amid struggles for power.
Introduction to the Party
The leftwing party formed by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana has reached a significant milestone, with its first conference set to take place in Liverpool this weekend. The party, which was temporarily named Your Party when launched over the summer, is now asking its 50,000 members to choose a permanent name from a shortlist of four options: Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance, and For The Many. The result of the vote will be announced by Corbyn on Sunday. This development comes after months of rows and infighting within the party, which has been beset by disagreements over its launch and financial management.
The Conference and Its Objectives
The conference in Liverpool is expected to be a pivotal event for the party, with over 2,500 members attending after being selected via a lottery system. The members will have the opportunity to agree on the party’s structures, programme, and organisational strategy, which will shape the party’s direction and goals. One of the key questions for debate is whether the party should adopt a single leader or embrace a "collective, lay-member leadership model". This decision will have significant implications for the party’s governance and decision-making processes. Additionally, members will discuss whether the party should support socialist independents in the 2026 English local elections, which could potentially influence the party’s electoral strategy.
Speeches and Participants
The conference will feature a range of speakers, including each of the party’s MPs, grassroots community organisers, and leftwing politicians from across Europe. Corbyn and Sultana are expected to deliver key speeches, outlining their vision for the party and its future direction. The presence of international speakers will provide an opportunity for the party to learn from and engage with other leftwing movements and ideologies. The conference will also showcase the party’s commitment to democratic participation and member involvement, with members playing a central role in shaping the party’s agenda and decisions.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite the excitement and optimism surrounding the conference, the party has faced significant challenges and controversies in recent months. Infighting and disagreements between Corbyn and Sultana have been well-documented, with disputes over the party’s launch and financial management. Two MPs, Iqbal Mohamed and Adnan Hussain, have already quit the party amid persistent infighting and struggles for power. Furthermore, some members have had their membership cancelled due to their membership of other parties, such as the Socialist Workers. These challenges highlight the difficulties faced by the party in establishing a cohesive and unified identity.
Future Prospects and Ambitions
Despite these challenges, Corbyn and Sultana remain optimistic about the party’s future prospects and ambitions. Corbyn has stated that he is "very excited to get this party started and begin the work of building a majority for real political change". Sultana has emphasized the party’s commitment to doing politics differently, with a focus on democratic accountability and member involvement. The party’s approach to the conference, with its emphasis on member participation and collective decision-making, reflects this commitment. As the party looks to the future, it will be important for it to address its internal challenges and establish a clear and cohesive identity, in order to achieve its ambitious goals and make a meaningful impact on the political landscape.