Your Party Announces Results of First Leadership Election
Your Party, the left-wing political movement co-founded by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana in the summer of 2025, has officially disclosed the outcomes of its inaugural leadership election. The results, announced on February 26, 2026, reveal a complex internal structure and highlight the evolving dynamics within this new political entity.
A New Political Formation Emerges
The story of Your Party began on July 3, 2025, when Zarah Sultana publicly declared her departure from the Labour Party. She announced the establishment of an alternative political group alongside her former leader, Jeremy Corbyn, a move that reportedly took Corbyn by surprise. From its inception, Your Party pledged to introduce a novel approach to political organization, emphasizing democratic principles and grassroots involvement.
Initially, even the party's name was subject to deliberation, with members awaiting consensus before finalizing it as "Your Party." This period of uncertainty lasted for months, during which only a few key details were clear: the formation of a new left-wing party with involvement from both Corbyn and Sultana.
Unconventional Leadership Structure
At the inaugural party conference held in Liverpool in late November 2025, delegates approved an unusual leadership model. Sultana advocated for a committee-based system aligned with the movement's democratic ideals, while Corbyn preferred a more traditional single-leader approach. The conference ultimately endorsed Sultana's proposal, establishing a Central Executive Committee (CEC) to lead the party collectively.
In a significant decision, delegates also voted to prevent Corbyn and Sultana from occupying the top roles on the committee, aiming to preserve the party's grassroots integrity. This set the stage for the recent election, which determined the composition of the CEC without assigning specific leadership positions.
Election Results and Factional Dynamics
The CEC comprises 24 seats distributed across 12 sections. Four seats are reserved for public office holders, with the remainder allocated geographically: two seats each for regions such as the North West, North East, Yorkshire & the Humber, East of England, West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, and London, and one seat each for Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has no representation on the committee.
Candidates in the election could align with one of two factions: Corbyn's "The Many" or Sultana's "Grassroots Left," or run as independents. Both Corbyn and Sultana were successfully elected to the committee under the public office holders section.
However, Corbyn's faction emerged as the dominant force, securing 14 seats compared to seven for the Grassroots Left. Three independents also gained seats. This outcome positions Corbyn with substantial influence, as he leads the largest faction on the committee, which will collaboratively decide policy directions.
Implications for Your Party's Future
While Jeremy Corbyn is not the formal leader of Your Party, his faction's majority on the CEC grants him significant sway. He is expected to be supported as the leader of the party's parliamentary group, enhancing his role in shaping the movement's trajectory. This result underscores the ongoing balance between grassroots democracy and factional influence within the party.
The election marks a pivotal moment for Your Party as it navigates its early stages, blending innovative governance structures with traditional political rivalries. The focus now shifts to how the committee will function and implement the party's left-wing agenda in the coming months.
