What's happened
Zarah Sultana's new political party, Your Party, has announced reaching 50,000 members, a significant milestone amid internal disputes and factional infighting. The party aims to replace Labour over the long term, with ongoing tensions over leadership, funds, and strategy. The membership figures highlight the party's turbulent start and potential for future growth.
What's behind the headline?
The current membership figures reveal a party still in its infancy but with notable momentum. Reaching 50,000 members is a significant achievement for a new party, especially one born out of internal disputes. The split with Jeremy Corbyn's faction and the internal power struggles, including control over donations and membership data, suggest ongoing factionalism that could hinder long-term stability. Sultana's ambition to replace Labour is bold; however, the party's turbulent start raises questions about its capacity to sustain growth and influence. The internal conflicts, particularly over leadership and funds, may divert focus from policy development and electoral strategy. Meanwhile, the Greens and Reform UK continue to gain ground, indicating a shifting landscape where new parties are challenging traditional dominance. The next few months will be critical for Your Party as it prepares for its founding conference and upcoming local elections, which will test its organizational strength and appeal to voters. Ultimately, the party's future hinges on its ability to unify its factions, develop a clear platform, and translate membership momentum into electoral success. This story underscores the volatility and fragmentation in UK politics, with new parties emerging as significant players, but facing substantial internal and external challenges.
What the papers say
Sky News reports that Your Party's membership has reached 50,000, a milestone announced by Jeremy Corbyn, amid internal disputes over leadership and funds. The article highlights the factional infighting, including Sultana's unilateral actions and control over donations, which have caused internal tensions. Meanwhile, The Guardian's coverage emphasizes Sultana's long-term vision to replace Labour, framing her party's turbulent start as part of a broader effort to reshape UK politics. Both sources acknowledge the internal conflicts but differ in tone: Sky News focuses on the immediate membership figures and internal disputes, while The Guardian provides context on Sultana's ambitions and the party's strategic outlook.
How we got here
Zarah Sultana left Labour in July to form Your Party, aiming to build a left-wing alternative that could eventually replace Labour. The party's launch was marked by internal conflicts, including disputes over leadership, control of funds, and membership management. Sultana's efforts to establish a new political force are part of a broader trend of fragmentation within UK politics, especially on the left, as new parties seek to challenge established parties like Labour and the Greens.
Go deeper
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Zarah Sultana (born 31 October 1993) is a British politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Coventry South since 2019. She was a Labour Party MP until the whip was suspended in July 2024, when she became one of seven Labour MPs who voted.
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Jeremy Bernard Corbyn is a British politician who served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2015 to 2020. Corbyn has been the Member of Parliament for Islington North since 1983. Ideologically, he identifies himself as a socia