A new political force has officially declared its identity: Your Party. Born from the efforts of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and MP Zarah Sultana, the organization has moved beyond its initial concept to become a formally structured entity with a name, rules, and a growing base of committed supporters.
The announcement came after a vote by the party’s membership, signaling a key step in establishing a truly grassroots movement. Corbyn, addressing the decision, emphasized the foundational elements now in place – a party, a constitution, and, crucially, a shared name: Your Party.
This weekend marked the inaugural conference for Your Party, held in Liverpool, the same city that recently hosted Labour’s own gathering. Hundreds of members converged to shape the party’s structure and define its core policies, engaging in a democratic process to chart its future.
In a surprising turn of events, members voted against a leadership model centered on either Corbyn or Sultana. Instead, they opted for a collective leadership structure, a decision that sparked visible reactions within the conference hall and ultimately passed with a narrow 51.6% majority.
A spokesperson for Your Party hailed the vote as a demonstration of its commitment to a different style of politics – one built “from the bottom-up, not the top-down.” They contrasted this approach with what they described as a disconnected professional political class, prioritizing the needs of ordinary citizens over corporate interests.
The vote involved approximately 9,000 participants from a total electorate of 55,000. As a result, the party will select a chairman and deputy chairman in February, with a specific stipulation: neither position can be held by a current Member of Parliament.
The path to this conference hasn’t been without friction. Public disagreements surfaced between Sultana and Corbyn, alongside other members of the Independent Alliance, highlighting the challenges of forging unity within a new political venture. Sultana even boycotted the first day of the conference following a dispute over access for members of another socialist party.
Addressing the conference, Sultana acknowledged the party’s rocky start, framing the collective leadership decision as a victory for the membership. She took responsibility for some of the initial “hiccups” in the party’s formation, reiterating her commitment to member-led governance.
“Some will say that the decision to adopt the collective leadership model is a win for me,” Sultana stated. “It is not. It is your win. It is you, the members who have won.” She emphasized the need for improved collaboration and a culture of transparency, prioritizing “people power” and maximum member democracy.
The conference continues with an anticipated speech from Jeremy Corbyn, as Your Party seeks to solidify its identity and lay the groundwork for its future political endeavors.
