Sultana says new party is aiming to 'run government'

Published: 31 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Zarah Sultana has announced that her newly formed left-wing political party, created in collaboration with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, is aiming to take the reins of government despite internal disputes and public scrutiny. The Coventry South MP, who left the Labour Party in July, described the initiative—currently operating under the temporary name Your Party—as a “40-year project” rather than a protest movement.

Since its inception, the fledgling party has attracted hundreds of thousands of sign-ups but has faced challenges over leadership disputes, financial management, and the selection of its official name. Speaking to BBC’s Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, Sultana emphasized that the party’s primary goal is “changing people’s lives for the better,” which necessitates “winning state power” and ultimately running the government.

She outlined that the new political movement will be “socialist, democratic, and member-led.” If elected, the party intends to focus on policies such as nationalizing key industries, constructing council homes, and providing secure employment opportunities. Sultana stressed: “We’re building a party of the left that can win power and deliver justice. This is a 10, 20, 30-year project.”

However, the party has already faced internal turbulence. Three board members of MoU Operations Ltd, the company responsible for overseeing finances and membership for Your Party, resigned, leaving Sultana as the sole director. Reports indicated that around £800,000 in donations and membership data remains in dispute following the launch of a membership portal through the party’s official email account, which allegedly collected payment and information from approximately 20,000 people. Corbyn called the initiative “unauthorised” and asked supporters to cancel direct debits. While the portal was later replaced, the situation escalated into legal threats and accusations of a “sexist boys’ club,” though Sultana and Corbyn have since reconciled.

Regarding the party’s name, Sultana has advocated for “The Left Party,” while Corbyn suggested that the temporary title Your Party might remain. Members are expected to vote on the final name at a founding conference in Liverpool next month. Sultana expressed her willingness to co-lead with Corbyn but stated she would stand for single leadership if the membership opts for that structure when the party constitution is finalized.

In the interview, Sultana criticized Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, stating he possesses “all the features of a fascist politician” and expressing concern over the potential impact of a Farage government on trade unions, working-class communities, minority groups, and LGBT people. She warned that attacks on workers’ rights and attempts to bypass the European Convention on Human Rights represented a descent into authoritarianism.

Sultana pointed to a wider political crisis, noting that the rise of Reform UK in national polls, where they enjoy a 10-point lead, reflects growing voter disillusionment with austerity policies. She confirmed that her party would seek alliances with the Green Party to counter Reform UK’s influence, but clarified that she has no plans to join the Greens, citing differences in party identity despite respect for their new leader, Zack Polanski.

Responding to concerns that the party might split the left-wing vote and erode Labour’s traditional support base, Sultana said Labour “probably should have worried about that before it enabled austerity and other policies harming communities.” She asserted that the emergence of alternative left-wing options provides voters with genuine choice, countering the previous dominance of a single centre-left party.

With ambitious goals and ongoing internal challenges, Sultana’s party aims to establish itself as a long-term force on the UK political landscape, seeking to reshape left-wing politics and challenge both traditional Labour dominance and the rising appeal of right-leaning parties.