The latest left-wing movement, “Your Party,” has elected not to have Jeremy Corbyn or Zarah Sultana as its leaders following a significant members’ vote. Instead, the party’s founding conference opted for a collective leadership approach led by ordinary members rather than MPs, amidst internal conflicts and legal threats.
In a close vote, members favored the collective leadership model over the traditional single leadership model, with a 51.6% majority. This decision avoids a potential showdown between Zarah Sultana, who left the Labour Party earlier this year, and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Party officials have indicated a review of the rules in late 2027.
Zarah Sultana, who abstained from the conference’s first day due to disputes over expulsions, expressed her excitement about the outcome, emphasizing her longstanding advocacy for enhanced member democracy. She hailed the move towards collective leadership as the start of establishing a new socialist party that prioritizes member leadership over MPs.
Expected to end her boycott, Zarah Sultana is anticipated to participate in the conference today after her initial protest against the party’s expulsion actions and perceived targeting of certain members.
A spokesperson for Your Party highlighted the significance of the vote as a departure from conventional politics, emphasizing a bottom-up rather than top-down approach. The party aims to offer a distinct alternative by being member-driven, democratic, grassroots, and accountable.
In addition to leadership decisions, members are currently voting on an official name for the party during the debut conference. Options include the existing placeholder name “Your Party,” as well as alternatives like “Our Party,” “Popular Alliance,” and “For the Many,” with the final choice set to be revealed later today.