Leadership Rift Emerges as Your Party Conference Begins
The fledgling Your Party has opened its inaugural conference in Liverpool with its two most prominent figures publicly divided over how the leftwing movement should be led.
Jeremy Corbyn confirmed to journalists on Saturday that he prefers a single leader model and is likely to stand for the role if members choose this direction. Meanwhile, co-founder Zarah Sultana stated she would vote for collective leadership, expressing her belief that political movements shouldn't be run by "sole personalities."
Delegates Face Critical Choice
Party delegates gathering in Liverpool must decide between two fundamental leadership structures: electing a single leader or establishing a collective of lay members - those not already serving as MPs or councillors - to run the new political organisation.
The Guardian understands that Sultana would run against Corbyn if members ultimately decide to elect one leader, setting the stage for a potential leadership contest between the movement's co-founders.
Fragile Peace and Financial Tensions
The pair have maintained a fragile peace despite underlying tensions, with Sultana comparing their relationship to that of Noel and Liam Gallagher. Corbyn stated he would "probably favour the single leadership model" but would "live with whatever members decide on."
Sultana revealed that £600,000 had already been transferred from a holding company to Your Party, with the remainder of approximately £800,000 in donations to be sent after processing liabilities. This follows earlier tensions when Sultana launched a membership portal that collected substantial donations and member data.
Despite public unity, Sultana was notably absent during Corbyn's opening address to members on Saturday morning, amid reported strains with some of his allies, particularly his former chief of staff Karie Murphy.
Internal Culture Under Scrutiny
Sultana openly acknowledged a "toxic culture" within Your Party that has led to "bullying, intimidation and smears" and "acts of deliberate sabotage." She attributed this problematic environment to individuals around Corbyn who had "learned the wrong lessons from their time in the Labour party."
In his Saturday speech, Corbyn called for unity, stating: "As a party, we've got to come together and be united, because division and disunity will not serve the interests of the people that we want to represent."
Future Electoral Cooperation
Both founders indicated openness to electoral pacts with other leftwing parties, including the Greens. Sultana emphasised the need to work with Greens and other parties "to stop Nigel Farage getting into Number 10," calling this the "guiding principle for all of us who want to stop fascism."
Corbyn said cooperation decisions would "essentially be a decision for the local branches of Your Party" to judge what works best in their areas, while not ruling out cooperation with the Green party under its new leader Zack Polanski.
The conference continues as delegates weigh this fundamental decision about the party's leadership structure that could define its future direction and political strategy.
