On Thursday night, former Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, were seen united on stage during the launch of the Merseyside Your Party branch. After weeks of tensions and public disputes, the two leaders spoke about some of their mistakes, and pledged “no more public quarrels”.
The problems began a few weeks ago, when Sultana launched a membership portal inviting supporters of her pro-Palestine party to become signed-up members, without consulting her comrades.
Little did we know that the unauthorised email would open up legal disputes and public statements that kept the audience at home wondering: Is Your Party doomed before it could even be officially named?
While the matter seems to have been settled and the two leaders seem stronger than ever in their partnership, it feels like the party's launch is still in question. Nevertheless, all the drama that has dominated British media, unsurprisingly overshadowed the real reason why the party was created in the first place: to support Palestine and the ordinary people.
Real Change
Hundreds of thousands across the UK were overjoyed when the announcement was made about Your Party, as they delighted in the prospect of our favourite pro-Palestine politicians joining hands in making real change and helping not only the people of Palestine, but also those who've suffered at the hands of the current Labour government's policies.
Initially, many didn't seem to care about the "chaotic" way that the party was announced, let alone the lack of a name. And practically overnight more than 800,000 people signed up, eager to join a project that proposed real change that they could be a part of.
People were so tired of the Tory party in Labour's clothing, and so scared of the rise of the far right, that all the speculation of leadership battles behind the scenes, and leaked WhatsApp messages were insignificant.
However, the most recent clash between the two co-leaders made it harder for supporters to fully get behind them. It highlighted something the nation already knows all too well: the left has always been divided.
History repeating itself
Since the party's formation, Labour has been plagued by factional politics, with each camp having its own vision for the party's future.
From Tony Benn vs Neil Kinnock to Jeremy Corbyn vs Keir Starmer, the party has struggled with one side vying for transformative socialist change and the other favouring more moderate, so-called deliverable reforms and electoral success.
Britain witnessed the formation of a new political party in 2004, where factional disputes ultimately led to the demise of a former left-wing party. Leftists and anti-war groups joined hands to create a new left-wing party to oppose the invasion of Iraq: the Respect Party.
Founded by Salma Yaqoob and George Galloway, the Respect Party was created in response to dissatisfaction with Blair's Labour Party, particularly following Britain’s role in the Iraq war – against which over 1.5 million people protested in London. The project sought to provide an alternative to the governing party and serve the needs of underrepresented communities.
However, leadership conflicts, coupled with internal divisions between George Galloway and the Socialist Workers' Party, led to a split, ultimately contributing to the end of what could have been a genuine opposition to Labour.
As the anti-war movement that had been born from the moment slowly died down, the party barely made any gains in the 2015 general election, and officially deregistered the following year.
Now more than ever, the left must learn lessons from what happened to the Respect Party.
The power to turn the far-right tide
The people of Britain have not only shown that they want Your Party, but it is also clearly needed to mobilise and organise the masses who want to make a difference.
Given the complicity of the UK government in Israel’s war on Gaza the past two years, which has claimed the lives of over 67,000 Palestinians (with estimates placing the figure closer to half a million), a strong united front is necessary if we are to continue applying pressure.
Whilst the ceasefire is welcomed, and has brought relief to many Palestinians, the fight for their freedom continues still. Until Palestine is literally free from the clutches of Israel and its Western backers who have an interest in maintaining the occupation, we need our favourite pro-Palestine political duo to help carry the momentum of solidarity efforts in the UK.
In many ways, the hard work starts now.
The same force is needed to fight against the rise of the far-right that is so emboldened by a government that seems more concerned about endangering migrants and arresting the elderly protesting genocide, than they do about fascists spewing racist, homophobic, xenophobic and Islamophobic hate. A party that reinvigorates the country’s proud anti-fascist history, is urgently needed if we are to not just defend, but also protect migrants, Muslims, people of colour, and all minority groups being targeted.
As far-right figures conflate the defence of the working class with hate-ridden nationalist ideology, the new party can actually show those facing the brunt of cuts to welfare services, poor housing, deteriorating working conditions and pay, as well as the ongoing cost of living crisis, what is means to put the needs of those most in need, at the core.
Regardless of the he-said-she-said spat, the last thing we need is for the few politicians who have held the line on Palestine throughout the genocide, and who are finally proposing radical policies that could transform the lives of the masses, to lash out online over matters that frankly could have been resolved behind closed doors. Because this only helps those who stand to benefit from the project failing.
While the party has progressed beyond just damage control – when the pair apologised for the disputes and launched a new membership portal – there is faith in knowing that the people who believe in Your Party are always ready to defend its ultimate purpose, perhaps even reminding its founders what that purpose is. Just look at the 6,500+ people who signed up to the initiative calling for action to save the party’s founding process, showing how we cannot afford to see Your Party fail before its launch.
The two leaders are engaging in key debates this weekend also, during The World Transformed festival in Manchester. Perhaps this will serve to reassure more folks who are still in doubt over their collaboration, or those who have decided that the Greens under Zack Polenski is the only sure option for a radical alternative.
By November, when Corbyn and Sultana are due to host the official launch, Your Party must reach the stage of launching campaigns related to the issues that matter most, and of putting forward a strategy for the next general election. If they are still having to convince people by the time they reach this event, it would be a sign of weakness for the project.
Ultimately, we do not need Sultana and Corbyn to be friends, but going forward we do need them to put their differences aside and be able to coexist and lead together without resorting to unsanctioned moves and social media squabbles in attempts to bring each other down.
Your Party has the potential to go so much further than Respect, especially with support for the Labour Party now at its lowest. Corbyn and Sultana can provide the platform that will mobilise the masses to save Britain from falling into the hands of Reform UK.
Anam Alam joined The New Arab in 2024 after freelancing post-university. She frequently writes about human rights and social issues, including women's rights and sex education.
Follow her on X: @itsanamalam
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Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The New Arab, its editorial board or staff.