Your Party's First Gathering Displays Few Sign of a Fresh Start

As the notion of a new socialist party led by Jeremy Corbyn and the Coventry South MP was originally suggested in the summer, it was so popular that hundreds of thousands registered their intent in joining.

Despite being quickly beset by disputes – its co-founders clashed fiercely over its founding structure and revenue strategy – many expected this weekend's first major event would signal a fresh start.

Disappointing Opening Day

A sizeable chunk of the participants are people who left the Labour party, dissatisfied with the agenda of the current government and seeking a political home as they fear the growing influence of Reform UK.

As plans for the party's inaugural conference were wrapped up, Sultana and Corbyn seemed to resolved their differences. Appearing at a leftwing festival in Manchester last month, Sultana jokingly compared the duo to the Gallagher brothers, stating: “I’m here to tell you the party is active again.”

But when the entrances to the event venue in Liverpool opened on Saturday morning, Sultana was curiously absent. As Corbyn spoke to kick off the event, she was drinking a warm beverage in a cafe about a brief walk from the conference site.

Governance Division

It was clear there was significant disagreement on how the party needed to be structured. Corbyn told journalists he supported a traditional leadership model, with a sole leader chosen to lead, and suggested he’d be likely to run if members voted for this option.

In contrast, in an interview, Sultana said she was supporting a group decision-making process, with crucial policies being made by rank-and-file supporters – those not presently working as political representatives. She added that she did not think parties should be controlled by “individual figures”. She did, nevertheless, suggest she would be ready to compete in competition with Corbyn if there was a election for a sole leader.

Negative Atmosphere

While Sultana maintained she and the ex-party head were on good terms – they had, she said, talked about how they hoped the conference to be “an encouraging gathering where members are enabled” – she was scathing about some of his allies and Your Party officials whom she thinks are undermining her. She would not specify who, but it is known that interactions between her backers and Corbyn’s previous top advisor Karie Murphy are especially tense.

The elected representative – who defected from Labour in July – also mentioned that there was still a “toxic culture” among certain members of Your Party, which had caused “pressure, coercion and defamation” and “acts of deliberate sabotage”.

Boycott and Factionalism

Tensions escalated significantly around lunchtime when it became known Sultana would not attend the initial sessions of the conference, in solidarity with would-be delegates who had been denied entry from the event due to membership in other progressive movements – notably the the SWP. Her aide labeled this a “witch-hunt”, adding: “It is essential to create a party that embraces every left-wing supporter.”

Allies of Corbyn – who mistakenly stated on Saturday morning that the Socialist Workers party was officially recognized by the Electoral Commission – were angry, claiming Sultana was attempting to stage a “sideshow”. They feel accepting overlapping memberships would create chaos and worsen internal divisions which already looks to have hindered the emerging organization.

On the status of the SWP, one Corbyn ally said: “Although it isn't registered with the regulatory body but it is clearly an organization. The clue is in the name.”

Frustration Among Attendees

A significant number of participants were annoyed that Saturday’s activities turned into group conflicts when they would have wanted to address important topics such as the financial challenges and immigration, as well as strategising for next year’s local elections.

The group is yet to decide if it will run its own nominees or support independent socialists and some supporters feel the party will have failed if it is not listed for election as an option besides Labour.

Hope for The Second Day

The outcome is uncertain if the conference can be salvaged on Sunday, when the results of important ballots – such as the party’s permanent name and leadership structure – will be revealed. Sultana plans to attend and speak to the crowd, which has reassured those who still desire agreement.

But most delegates remained discouraged as they made their way of the conference hall into a damp night in the city on Saturday. It's possible the atmosphere of the day was captured by an individual attendee, who said: “My substantial beverage is turning into a full bottle.”