Key Points
- · Your Party, founded by former Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, is expanding its grassroots presence with new branches launching in Bolton and Walkden.
- · The party aims to represent working-class voices and promote an anti-austerity, anti-racist, pro-Palestine agenda as part of a fresh left-wing political movement.
- · There is some internal tension within the party leadership over the direction and control of membership, notably between Corbyn and Sultana.
- · The party has seen rapid growth since its announcement in July 2025, with hundreds of thousands signing up online and several councillors defecting from Labour to join.
- · Your Party emphasizes community-driven politics, aspiring to be a party "of the people" rather than of political elites.
- · The launch of these local branches signals a push to build organisational infrastructure ahead of the 2026 local elections.
What is Your Party and who founded it?
Your Party is a new left-wing political organisation launched in July 2025 by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, both former Labour MPs now sitting as independents. As reported by Seton Motley of the Hindustan Times, Corbyn, who led Labour through elections in 2017 and 2019, and Sultana announced the outfit as a break from the traditional party structures, aiming to build a movement rooted in working-class interests. The party is commonly referred to by its interim name, but its founders describe it as a fresh political force to challenge austerity and champion social justice across the UK.
What has been the response since the launch of Your Party?
The launch generated significant public enthusiasm, with more than 80,000 people signing up for updates within hours of the initial announcement, swelling to over 800,000 within weeks, according to the party's own claims and media reports such as from Wikipedia and socialistworker.co.uk. Large events, including one in Blackburn attended by Corbyn and hosted by Independent MP Adnan Hussain, drew crowds of up to 1,500 supporters, signalling strong grassroots interest particularly in northern towns with industrial heritage.
What political values does Your Party represent?
Your Party positions itself as an anti-austerity, anti-racist, and pro-Palestine movement committed to representing "forgotten voices" and the working class. As noted by Adnan Hussain in his Blackburn speech covered by the Socialist Worker, the party focuses on delivering politics centred on community, care, and solidarity, rejecting elitism. However, reporters have noted internal tensions, such as disagreements between Corbyn and Sultana over membership access and party governance, reflecting broader debates about the party's identity and strategy.
Why are new branches opening in Bolton and Walkden?
The launch of local branches in Bolton and Walkden is a strategic move to build the party’s organisational capacity on the ground as it prepares to contest local elections in 2026. The presence in Bolton, a town with a significant working-class population and history of Labour support, underlines the party’s focus on traditional Labour heartlands where disaffection with mainstream parties is notable. Although no detailed event coverage of the branch launches in Bolton and Walkden has yet appeared in mainstream media, their establishment aligns with the party's broader push for regional presence and member engagement.
What challenges is Your Party facing internally?
Internal conflict within Your Party has surfaced publicly, particularly over the launch and management of membership payments and control. On September 18, 2025, the New Statesman and Sky News reported a public clash when Zarah Sultana sent out an "unauthorised" email inviting sign-ups for paid membership, which led to confusion and claims of sidelining within the leadership. Corbyn is reported to be seeking legal advice regarding the incident. Sultana described experiencing marginalisation and criticised what she termed a "sexist boys' club" culture emerging within the party leadership structure.
Who has joined Your Party apart from its founders?
Since its formation, Your Party has attracted several councillors who have resigned from the Labour Party, joining what they see as a new political home. As documented by Wikipedia, members from councils in Hastings, Islington, Coventry, Cambridge, and Preston have defected, reflecting discontent with Labour’s direction under its current leadership. The party reportedly includes around 200 councillors from existing independent groups, which bolsters its local government footprint and credibility as an electoral challenge.
How is Your Party positioning itself politically for upcoming elections?
Your Party aims to contest the 2026 local elections, with the creation of local branches like those in Bolton and Walkden seen as groundwork to foster support and canvassing infrastructure. The party promotes itself as a grassroots force with a focus on working-class representation and social justice policies, differentiating itself from Labour and Conservative parties. Commentators in the Socialist Worker and other outlets characterize it as a vehicle for anti-austerity activism and an open forum embracing diverse progressive voices.