Key Highlights
- The launch of Your Party, a new left-wing force co-led by Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn, faced significant challenges from the start.
- Despite its rapid growth, Your Party has struggled with internal infighting and lacks a clear direction or leader.
- The book “Your Party: The Return of the Left,” edited by Oliver Eagleton, explores the founding and current state of this new political entity.
- Critics argue that Your Party’s failure is a result of self-destructive factionalism rather than inherent flaws in left-wing politics.
The Rise and Fall of Your Party
Less than two months after its announcement, the fledgling Your Party has already faced numerous challenges. The book “Your Party: The Return of the Left,” edited by Oliver Eagleton, delves into the complexities of this new left-wing force. The party was co-founded by Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn but quickly fell victim to internal strife.
Internal Conflicts and Leadership Issues
Sultana’s premature announcement of Your Party before Corbyn was ready led to accusations of jumping the gun. Despite their promises, the group never managed to hold a proper inaugural conference or elect a leader. The leadership battle has been intense, with Sultana promising to return $800,000 in membership fees and donations after Corbyn’s allies urged supporters to cancel their direct debits.
According to Andrew Murray, one of the founders who speaks candidly about the party’s shortcomings, “Everyone on the left is still trying to find a route to socialism that is neither simply electing a parliamentary majority nor storming the Winter Palace.” This sentiment reflects the broader struggle within the left-wing movement to define its goals and methods.
The Return of the Left?
Despite the challenges, the book argues that Your Party’s launch is part of a larger trend. The Green Party has seen significant gains in recent opinion polls, drawing level with Labour in some surveys. This resurgence is seen as both a challenge and an opportunity for Your Party to reassert its relevance.
Oliver Eagleton, the editor of the book, provides a critical yet insightful view: “The narcissism of small differences, self-destructive factionalism, ever-decreasing circles of disproportionate viciousness: Your Party has it all.” The book pulls together conversations with six key figures involved in founding Your Party, offering a candid look at their experiences and reflections.
Future Prospects
The future for Your Party remains uncertain. As the group prepares for its first conference this month, questions linger about whether they can overcome their internal divisions and carve out a meaningful role in British politics. The experience of other left-wing movements, such as Respect or Left Unity, serves as a cautionary tale.
However, there is also hope that Your Party’s grassroots energy and youthful zeal could prove transformative.
Leanne Mohamad, the independent candidate who narrowly lost to Wes Streeting in Ilford North last year, offers a compelling vision: “More time with our loved ones, more green space, universal childcare, free public transport, not worrying about bills.” These goals resonate with many young people disillusioned with traditional politics.
The book concludes that while Your Party faces significant obstacles, the left cannot afford to give up on its ideals. As Oliver Eagleton writes in his foreword: “The time has come to draw a big, bold line of antagonism in which there is unity on our side and division on the other.”
