“`html
Sources close to Jeremy Corbyn have expressed “disappointment” regarding the widening rift between Zarah Sultana and the former Labour leader concerning the establishment of a new political party.
Speaking to the BBC, individuals familiar with the situation indicated that further attempts at reconciliation are deemed necessary, though prospects for a successful resolution appear slim.
Despite these internal conflicts, proponents maintain that there remains considerable support for a new left-wing party and are committed to progressing with the initiative.
On Thursday, Sultana leveled accusations against Corbyn, alleging that he presided over a “sexist boys’ club” and that she was marginalized by other members within the party’s working group.
Her remarks followed an email circulated to supporters, inviting them to enroll as full members for a fee of £5 per month or £55 annually.
Sultana had promoted the membership drive on her social media platforms, asserting that over 20,000 individuals had registered.
However, Corbyn issued a statement declaring the emails “unauthorized” and advising recipients to disregard them and “immediately cancel” any direct debits established.
The statement also bore the signatures of Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, Iqbal Mohamed, and Shockat Adam—independent figures involved in the party’s founding—with Sultana’s name notably absent.
The nascent party, currently referred to as “Your Party” in campaign materials, has yet to adopt an official name.
Some Corbyn allies suspect Sultana of attempting to secure a leadership position within the as-yet-unformed party by aggressively soliciting memberships.
Given Corbyn’s ambivalence toward a co-leadership arrangement, some speculate that Sultana was preparing to pursue an independent path.
Sultana has not yet responded to requests for comment from the BBC.
In her Thursday statement, Sultana affirmed that she had launched a membership portal to facilitate ongoing engagement and organization among supporters.
She maintained that this action was “in line with the road map set out to members” and represented “a safe, secure, legitimate portal for the party.”
The Coventry South MP further stated that membership funds were being managed by a company established by the party to safeguard finances until the founding conference in November.
Corbyn’s allies deny allegations that Sultana was excluded from consultations and insist that no decisions regarding data and finances were made by the working group.
The party has reported the matter to the UK’s data protection authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The ICO has confirmed it is currently assessing the information provided.
Andrew Fisher, Corbyn’s former policy director, described the dispute as “a very unedifying spectacle played out in public between the two most prominent people associated with [the party] by a mile.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One program, he added, “If they can’t get their act together between them, it doesn’t give people a lot of faith that the vehicle can get off the ground.”
Fisher suggested that while considerable “enthusiasm” exists for the party among the public, the internal conflict could drive potential supporters to the Green Party instead.
“I suspect a lot of people… have probably looked at this and gone, ‘Nope, not worth the bother. I might join the Greens with Zach Polanski, who is an articulate leader in a stable party that is making left-wing arguments’,” he said.
“And maybe that’s the vehicle that will take off as a result of this.”
Polanski, the recently elected leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, reported a surge in membership since his appointment earlier this month, surpassing 75,000 this week.
When asked whether the discord within Your Party could benefit the Greens, Polanski told the BBC: “I really like Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, and my door’s always open for conversations.”
However, he added: “The Green Party just really have momentum at the moment, and we don’t have time to waste.
“I know a lot of people in this country right now want to see a party ready to challenge Reform and challenge this deeply unpopular Labour government, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
This dispute represents the latest in a series of disagreements within the new group, which was launched in July and is scheduled to hold its founding conference in November.
The friction arose after Sultana announced her departure from Labour and the formation of a new party with Corbyn, a development that surprised the former Labour leader and others involved in the project.
The pair also clashed over the party’s name. In July, Sultana advocated against the name “Your Party,” expressing a preference for “The Left Party,” while Corbyn suggested the name remained under consideration. The final decision will be put to a vote by supporters.
Despite the initial challenges, the party claims that over 750,000 individuals have registered their interest in becoming involved since its launch.
Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
The former Labour leader fancies his chances north of the border, but the clock is ticking when it comes to next May’s Holyrood vote.
Locals hold their first rally in Swindon in support of Jeremy Corbyn’s new party.
The former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn appears at a popular weekend arts, faith and justice festival.
Ahead of the upcoming leadership contest, some within the Greens are asking why they haven’t better capitalised on discontent with the traditional parties
The ex-Labour leader – and keen gardener – accuses ministers of threatening a British tradition.
“`