A significant rift has emerged within the newly formed Your Party, as it has been confirmed that its co-founder, Jeremy Corbyn, was neither invited to nor aware of a major rally being hosted by his fellow co-founder, Zarah Sultana.
The event, scheduled for Friday 28 November in Liverpool, is set to take place on the eve of the party's inaugural conference, sparking intense speculation that it represents a de-facto leadership bid from Ms Sultana.
A Rally and a Snub
A spokesperson for Mr Corbyn explicitly confirmed to Sky News that the Islington North MP had no knowledge of the rally and did not receive an invitation. This confirmation extends to his entire office, indicating a clear communication breakdown at the highest level of the party.
Adding to the intrigue, the "eve of conference Your Party rally" is not an official party event. Instead, tickets are being sold through Ms Sultana's personal Action Network campaign, further distancing the gathering from the party's official structures. It is understood that Mr Corbyn has no plans to organise a competing rally of his own.
Leadership Ambitions and Factional Divides
The timing and nature of the rally have fuelled widespread speculation about the future leadership of Your Party. Members are due to vote on the party's leadership model at the conference, which begins officially on 29 November. The draft constitution proposes a single leader model, rather than a co-leadership structure, setting the stage for a potential contest.
While neither MP has formally declared their candidacy, both are widely expected to stand. The speakers lined up for Ms Sultana's event are figures closely aligned with her political vision, including Mish Rahman, a former Labour NEC member now active in the Democratic Bloc (Dembloc) group. This grassroots organisation, which advocates for greater activist influence, has been a vocal supporter of Ms Sultana.
A Party Beset by Internal Strife
This incident is the latest in a series of internal conflicts that have plagued Your Party since its high-profile launch in July. What was envisioned as a major moment for the British left has instead been dominated by public rows over leadership, finances, and even the party's name.
The tensions appear to stem from two main factions: one comprising long-time associates of Jeremy Corbyn, and another rallying around Zarah Sultana, who is seen by many as a fresh face for the movement. A spokesperson for Ms Sultana, who lost the Labour whip last year over her stance on the two-child benefit cap, declined to comment on the rally snub.
With the party claiming 50,000 paid members—though only a fraction will attend the Liverpool conference due to a sortition selection process—the question of who will ultimately lead this new political force remains intensely contested and publicly unresolved.
