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Corbyn’s New Left-Wing Party Opts for Member-Led Collective Leadership After Narrow Vote

The left-wing party co-founded by Jeremy Corbyn narrowly voted to adopt collective, member-led governance at its founding conference in Liverpool, with 51.6% in favour.

Co-founder Zarah Sultana praised the outcome but had earlier boycotted the conference in protest at expulsions of members linked to the Socialist Workers Party.

Two initial backers later withdrew amid internal disputes, and polls show the Green Party under Zack Polanski is attracting many left-leaning voters.

09:08 PM, 11/30/2025Politics
Corbyn’s New Left-Wing Party Opts for Member-Led Collective Leadership After Narrow Vote

A left-wing party co-founded by veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn narrowly voted to adopt collective, member-led governance rather than appointing a single leader, the movement announced after its founding conference in Liverpool.

The decision was taken at Your Party's inaugural conference, where 51.6% of delegates backed management by a committee of members rather than an individual leader.

"I have fought for maximum member democracy since day one," said co-founder Zarah Sultana. "Seeing members choose collective leadership is truly exciting."

The conference also approved rules allowing people who belong to other parties to join Your Party provided they "align with the party's values." That vote was held separately from the leadership decision.

The announcement follows controversy after several members were expelled on the eve of the conference amid claims they were also members of the far-left Socialist Workers Party. The expulsions prompted widespread complaint and led Sultana to boycott part of the conference in protest, deepening a public internal rift in the fledgling organisation.

Corbyn, 76, and Sultana, 32, both former Labour MPs, have frequently clashed since launching the party in July. Two of the four independent MPs who initially signed up later withdrew amid internal divisions that have included a bungled membership launch and threats of legal action.

Challenges Ahead

The new party faces a difficult task building support: opinion polls indicate the Green Party—currently led by Zack Polanski—is drawing many of the disaffected voters on the left. The Greens' growing appeal and recent organisational stability present strong competition for the new movement.

For now, Your Party moves forward with a slim majority in favour of collective leadership, a structure its backers say will maximise member democracy but which critics warn could hamper decisive leadership at a critical early stage.

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