Jeremy Corbyn has made an appeal for solidarity following a tumultuous beginning to the establishment of a new progressive party. Addressing the inaugural conference of “Your Party” in Liverpool, the former Labour leader admitted to past errors, urging members to unite for the common good. Despite this call for unity, a spokesperson for co-founder Zarah Sultana announced that the MP would not attend the first day of the conference in protest against the expulsion of certain members, emphasizing the need for an inclusive party that embraces all socialists.
The formation of the new socialist party has been marred by internal conflicts, such as controversies surrounding its launch, 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 internal discord.
Corbyn emphasized the importance of cohesion within Your Party, highlighting the need to learn from past mistakes and collaborate effectively. He proposed creating a guidebook for political party formation to assist others in avoiding similar pitfalls. Furthermore, he stressed the responsibility of members to kickstart party activities, launch campaigns, and participate in future elections to promote genuine socialism and social justice.
Advocating for a “membership oversight committee,” Corbyn urged for the swift transfer of party control to its members. As the conference unfolds, members will vote on selecting an official party name from options like “Our Party,” “Popular Alliance,” and “For the Many.” Discussions will also revolve around a new leadership structure. The event has attracted 2,500 attendees out of an alleged total party membership of 50,000.