Jeremy Corbyn has made an appeal for unity following a turbulent start to the establishment of a new left-wing party.
Speaking at the inaugural conference of “Your Party” in Liverpool, the former Labour leader admitted to past errors, urging members to come together. He emphasized that division and disunity would not benefit the people they aim to represent.
However, a spokesperson for co-founder Zarah Sultana announced that she would boycott the conference’s opening day in protest against the party’s expulsion of certain members. The spokesperson criticized the expulsions, labeling them as a “witch hunt” and insisting on creating an inclusive party that welcomes all socialists.
The launch of the new socialist party has been marred by internal conflicts, including controversies surrounding its inception, a flawed membership recruitment drive, and legal threats. Two Independent MPs, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed, opted out of the party’s establishment process due to infighting.
Corbyn expressed support for Sultana and stressed the importance of unity within the party. He highlighted the need to learn from past mistakes and challenges to create a successful political entity, suggesting that Your Party could develop a guide for establishing a political party.
During the conference, members will vote on a permanent name for the party, with options including “Our Party,” “Popular Alliance,” and “For the Many.” Discussions will also center on adopting a new leadership structure. The party claims a membership of 50,000, with 2,500 members selected to participate in the event.
Corbyn proposed the formation of a “membership oversight committee” to guide the establishment of party branches and advocated for transferring control to the members promptly.