Jeremy Corbyn’s new political project, provisionally named Your Party, has taken another dramatic turn as the former Labour leader publicly apologized for the confusion and infighting that have marred its launch. The party, which positions itself as a left-wing alternative to Labour, Reform UK, and the Green Party, is now pushing ahead with its inaugural conference in Liverpool this November, even as questions linger over its readiness and unity.
On September 24, 2025, Corbyn addressed supporters in a candid video posted to social media, admitting, “We’ve had some fraught days in the last week, as you will no doubt be very aware. And to be honest, we haven’t covered ourselves in glory.” According to BBC, Corbyn’s message was clear: the party’s internal turbulence had become impossible to ignore, but it was time to move forward together. He apologized directly, saying, “To all our supporters, I’m sorry for the confusion in getting to this point. Together, all of us, let’s move on to the next stage.”
The apology followed a very public feud with co-founder Zarah Sultana, the independent MP for Coventry South, who had launched the party’s membership portal without Corbyn’s sign-off. Sultana claimed she was forced to act after being “sidelined by a sexist boys’ club,” a charge that stoked further controversy and led to both leaders seeking legal advice. As Sky News reported, Corbyn urged supporters to ignore what he called an “unauthorized” email inviting them to become paid members, while Sultana insisted her actions were in line with the party’s roadmap and that all funds would be safeguarded.
Sultana’s decision to launch the portal triggered a cascade of accusations and counter-accusations. She described a “number of false and defamatory statements” made around the party’s launch and even consulted defamation lawyers. The dispute reached such a pitch that Corbyn advised members to cancel any direct debits set up in response to Sultana’s email, and the party referred itself to the UK’s data protection watchdog over concerns about the handling of member information.
Despite the acrimony, both leaders have since signaled a desire to reconcile for the sake of the party’s future. On September 21, Sultana posted on X (formerly Twitter), “For the sake of the party, and as an act of good faith, I will not be pursuing legal proceedings despite the baseless and unsubstantiated allegations against me.” She acknowledged the damage done, writing, “I know many people are feeling demoralised – I share that feeling. We find ourselves in a regrettable situation, but my motivation has always been to ensure the collective strength of our movement, put members first and build the genuinely democratic conference and socialist party we so urgently need.”
Corbyn, for his part, emphasized the need to focus on the upcoming conference and the party’s grassroots ambitions. “People desperately want the chance for a real alternative to poverty, war and injustice. So let’s get on with it,” he said, echoing the sentiment that the party’s mission outweighs its recent missteps. In his video, he also stressed the party would “belong to the grassroots,” with members empowered to make key decisions and elect the leadership.
The party’s membership scheme, relaunched this week, costs £5 per month, and more than 750,000 people have been invited to join, according to BBC. A total of 13,000 members will be selected by lottery to attend the two-day conference in Liverpool’s Arena and Convention Centre on November 29 and 30. There, members will debate and vote on the party’s structure, program, and—crucially—its permanent name. Until then, “Your Party” remains an interim title, with the final decision to be made democratically at the conference.
Yet, even the logistics of the conference have not been without controversy. Sky News revealed that the Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre was unaware of any confirmed event booking for the proposed dates, raising questions about the party’s organizational readiness. A spokesperson for the venue said, “All event enquiries are handled in strict confidence between our team and prospective clients, therefore we are unable to provide any further comment on this matter.” Corbyn’s spokesperson, however, insisted the venue had been booked, underscoring the ongoing disconnect between public statements and behind-the-scenes progress.
The party’s launch has been rocky from the outset. When Sultana announced her departure from Labour and the formation of a new party with Corbyn in July, it reportedly caught Corbyn off guard. The two then disagreed over the party’s name, with Sultana insisting it would not be called Your Party, only for Corbyn to suggest otherwise. These early tensions set the stage for the more recent public disputes over leadership roles, strategy, and the membership system.
Despite these setbacks, the party’s leadership is determined to project unity and momentum. Corbyn urged supporters to “turn your support into real membership,” promising that all data and payments would be secure. For those who joined under the previous system, the party assured that their data and membership would be migrated across seamlessly. Regional assemblies are planned across Britain ahead of the conference, giving members a chance to debate the party’s founding constitution and strategy. All proposals, including the party’s permanent name, will be subject to an online vote among members.
Supporters of both Corbyn and Sultana have reportedly been working behind the scenes to rebuild trust and ensure the party does not collapse before it has truly begun. As Sultana put it, “The stakes are too high for failure to be an option.” She also expressed her determination to reconcile with Corbyn, stating, “I am engaged in ongoing discussions with Jeremy, for whom, like all socialists of my generation, I have nothing but respect.”
Your Party’s emergence comes at a time of growing disillusionment with traditional political options on the left. The party is widely seen as a potential challenger to Labour, Reform UK, and the Greens, though its credibility and cohesion remain under scrutiny. The next few months will be critical as it seeks to move past its internal drama and present a united front to voters hungry for a new political alternative.
For now, all eyes are on Liverpool this November, where 13,000 randomly selected members will have the opportunity to shape the direction—and perhaps even the name—of Britain’s newest political experiment. Whether Your Party can overcome its tumultuous beginnings and live up to its grassroots promise remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the appetite for a fresh voice on the left is very real, and the pressure is on to deliver.
