In a significant blow to the leftwing movement, MP Adnan Hussain has resigned from Your Party, the political organisation spearheaded by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. The Blackburn MP cited a 'toxic' and 'exclusionary' environment, alongside persistent internal power struggles, as the reasons for his departure.
A Culture of Infighting and Dispute
Hussain announced his exit via social media platform X on Friday afternoon, expressing his profound disappointment. He stated that he had joined the party with a belief in its commitment to 'equality, justice and anti-racism,' but found the reality to be 'far from this vision.'
'The culture surrounding the party has become dominated by persistent infighting, factional competition and a struggle for power, position and influence rather than a shared commitment to the common good,' Hussain wrote. He further described the atmosphere as feeling 'toxic, exclusionary and deeply disheartening.'
The £850,000 Donation Disagreement
The resignation comes amidst a fresh and bitter public dispute between the party's leading figures, Corbyn and Sultana, centring on £850,000 in membership levies and donations. The funds are currently held by MOU Operations Ltd, a company for which Zarah Sultana is now the sole director.
This arrangement was initially made because Your Party lacked a formal structure or bank account when its membership portal launched. The understanding was that the money would be transferred to the party once it was properly established.
The conflict escalated on Thursday night when Hussain was one of four independent MPs who, alongside Corbyn, signed a public statement accusing Sultana of causing an 'unnecessary delay' in passing on the £850,000. Your Party officials insist the funds are urgently needed to run a conference at the end of the month and to pay staff who have been working as volunteers.
Allegations of Prejudice and Internal Chaos
Beyond the financial row, Hussain's resignation letter contained more serious allegations. He condemned what he described as 'veiled prejudice' in the treatment of himself and other Muslim independent MPs within the party, referencing 'generalised accusations and offensive slurs.'
Allies of Sultana, a former Labour MP, have accused the other MPs in Your Party of trying to undermine her with the timing of the Thursday statement. They claim it was released just before she appeared on BBC One's Question Time to hamper her prospects in a potential leadership contest against Corbyn.
A source close to Sultana defended her position, stating the timing was 'damaging and irrational' and that she was acting on legal advice, arguing she 'couldn't be doing anything differently.' In contrast, a Your Party source disputed this, insisting the legal advice confirms she 'absolutely can' transfer the money and that she keeps 'shifting the goalposts.'
This public schism marks yet another chapter of chaos for the fledgling party, highlighting the deep-seated tensions between its principal figures and raising serious questions about its future stability.
