A startling confession emerged from the inaugural conference of a newly formed political group: an independent MP admitted to unintentionally causing the death of a dog while attempting to protect a baby. Ayoub Khan, representing Birmingham Perry Barr, described a chaotic situation where a difficult choice had to be made in a split second.
“It was either a baby or a dog,” Khan recounted, emphasizing the lack of malicious intent. “Nobody was intending to kill anyone, just trying to protect the baby.” He reiterated his lack of intent to harm, stating plainly, “The dog died as a result of me trying to protect the baby.”
The revelation occurred amidst already turbulent beginnings for the fledgling political organization, currently known as “Your Party.” The conference in Liverpool was immediately overshadowed by internal strife, beginning with a boycott announcement from co-founder Zarah Sultana.
Khan played a key role in establishing both the Independent Alliance and, subsequently, “Your Party,” a project spearheaded by Jeremy Corbyn and Sultana. The initial announcement of the party, made by Sultana on social media, reportedly took Corbyn by surprise, hinting at underlying tensions from the outset.
The current dispute centers on the exclusion of members affiliated with other socialist movements. Khan defended the decision, stating that requiring individuals to renounce other political memberships before joining “Your Party” was a logical step. He framed it as a matter of maintaining clear allegiances.
Further complicating matters, two members of the parliamentary group – Iqbal Mohamed and Adnan Hussain – had already withdrawn from “Your Party” prior to the conference. Khan expressed regret over their departure, emphasizing the strong relationships he shared with both men.
“We’ve been working for the best part of over 16 months,” Khan said, highlighting the extensive collaborative effort. “We have a fabulous relationship, a very strong relationship. I’d like to see them come back.” He remained optimistic about a potential reconciliation, while respecting their individual decisions.
The group is currently grappling with its official identity, with four potential names under consideration: “Your Party,” “Our Party,” “For the Many,” and “Popular Alliance.” A vote to determine the final name is scheduled to take place during the conference this weekend.
The early days of “Your Party” are proving to be a crucible, testing the cohesion of its founders and the viability of its vision. The combination of a deeply personal confession from one of its members and a series of internal conflicts paints a picture of a political project struggling to find its footing.
