Jeremy Corbyn has called for unity following a rocky beginning to the establishment of a new progressive party. Speaking at the inaugural conference of “Your Party” in Liverpool, the former Labour leader admitted to past errors and emphasized the need for cohesion among members. He stressed that division and discord would not serve the interests of the people they aim to represent.
However, a representative for co-founder Zarah Sultana announced that she boycotted the conference’s opening due to the party’s expulsion of certain individuals. The spokesperson condemned the expulsions, labeling them as a witch hunt and advocating for a party that embraces all socialists.
The launch of the socialist party has been marred by internal conflicts, including controversies surrounding its inception, a flawed membership recruitment drive, and legal threats. Two other Independent MPs, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed, opted out of the party’s establishment process partly due to internal strife.
Corbyn expressed his support for Sultana and highlighted the importance of unity within the party. He suggested that Your Party could create a handbook to guide the formation of political parties, urging others to learn from their missteps and challenges.
Addressing the responsibilities of members, Corbyn emphasized the need to kickstart branches, initiate campaigns, and participate in future elections. He called for the establishment of a membership oversight committee to supervise the party’s branches and advocated for swift transfer of control to the members.
During the conference, attendees will vote on an official name for the party, with options including “Your Party,” “Our Party,” “Popular Alliance,” and “For the Many.” Discussions will also revolve around a new leadership model. The party claims a total membership of 50,000, with 2,500 members selected to attend the conference.