The inaugural conference of Jeremy Corbyn's new leftwing party, Your Party, opened in Liverpool on Saturday amid significant internal divisions and the notable absence of co-founder Zarah Sultana.
Leadership Model Dispute Creates Early Rift
As Jeremy Corbyn delivered his opening address to approximately 2,500 delegates at the Liverpool conference centre, his fellow co-founder Zarah Sultana was conspicuously absent, instead choosing to drink hot chocolate in a cafe roughly a mile from the venue.
The rift between the two prominent figures became immediately apparent through their conflicting visions for the party's leadership structure. Corbyn expressed his preference for a traditional single-leader model during conversations with journalists, indicating he would likely stand for the position if members supported this approach.
Meanwhile, Sultana advocated for a collective leadership arrangement in her interview with the Guardian, emphasising that key decisions should be made by lay members rather than elected representatives. Despite this fundamental disagreement, the Coventry South MP confirmed she would be willing to challenge Corbyn directly if members voted for a single leadership contest.
Socialist Workers Membership Sparks Controversy
Tensions escalated around lunchtime when it emerged that Sultana would boycott the entire first day of the conference in solidarity with prospective delegates who had been refused entry due to their affiliations with other leftwing organisations, particularly the Socialist Workers party.
Sultana's spokesperson described the exclusions as a "witch-hunt" and stressed the importance of building a party that "welcomes all socialists." This position put her directly at odds with Corbyn's allies, who accused her of creating unnecessary drama and argued that permitting multiparty membership would exacerbate existing factionalism within the fledgling movement.
The disagreement intensified when Corbyn incorrectly stated that the Socialist Workers party was registered with the Electoral Commission, a claim that was quickly contradicted by his own supporters, who nevertheless maintained that the organisation remained a distinct political party regardless of its registration status.
Broader Concerns About Party Culture
Beyond the immediate controversy, Sultana voiced serious concerns about what she described as a "toxic culture" within certain segments of Your Party. She alleged that this environment had fostered "bullying, intimidation and smears" along with "acts of deliberate sabotage" against party members.
Although Sultana declined to identify specific individuals, sources indicated that relations between her supporters and Corbyn's former chief of staff, Karie Murphy, were particularly strained. Despite these tensions, Sultana insisted that her relationship with Corbyn remained positive, noting they had collaborated to make the conference "a positive, joyful experience where members feel empowered."
Many delegates expressed frustration that the conference's opening day became consumed by internal disputes rather than focusing on pressing policy issues such as the cost of living crisis, immigration, and strategy development for next year's local elections.
The party has yet to determine whether it will field its own candidates or support independent socialists in upcoming elections, with some members believing that failure to establish a distinct presence on ballot papers would represent a significant setback for the movement.
As delegates departed the conference hall into a rainy Liverpool evening, the general mood appeared despondent, captured by one attendee's remark about their drinking plans for the night. Attention now turns to Sunday's proceedings, where critical votes on the party's permanent name and leadership structure will be announced, with Sultana expected to attend and deliver a speech that many hope will help restore unity.
