An independent Member of Parliament involved in the establishment of Jeremy Corbyn’s new left-wing political party has announced his departure from the project.
Adnan Hussain stated he would be “stepping away” from the steering group of the movement, currently operating under the name Your Party, citing a “toxic” culture, particularly towards “Muslim men.”
The Blackburn MP also alleged a “pattern of clique-like behaviour and gatekeeping” and a party “dominated by persistent infighting.”
Hussain’s resignation comes shortly after he signed a joint statement criticizing Zarah Sultana, a fellow founder of Your Party, for transferring £200,000 from a reported £800,000 at the centre of major split in the party.
In his letter, Hussain conveyed that he believed he was joining in “building a political home with mass appeal” and “a force capable of challenging the rise of far-right rhetoric.”
“Regrettably, the reality I encountered has been 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.”
“Instead of openness, cooperation, and an outward focus, the environment has too often felt toxic, exclusionary, and deeply disheartening.”
The Blackburn MP added: “I have also been deeply troubled by the way certain figures within the steering process, particularly Muslim men, have been spoken about and treated.”
“At times the rhetoric used has been disturbingly similar to the very political forces the left claims to oppose. I witnessed insinuations about capability, dismissive attitudes, and language that carried, at the very least, veiled prejudice.”
Hussain’s resignation marks the latest division within the fledgling party, which has been plagued by disputes since its launch in July, concerning issues ranging from leadership and finances to its very name.
He had been one of six Independent MPs overseeing the founding of Your Party, alongside Corbyn and Sultana.
Prior to resigning, Hussain had also signed a letter criticizing Sultana for failing to transfer an estimated £800,000 of Your Party donations held by a company she controls.
The funds are held by MoU Operations Ltd, which collected the initial wave of donations while Your Party was being formally registered.
On Thursday, Sultana transferred the first £200,000, promising “further installments will be paid as soon as possible, as the legal details are ironed out.”
However, the five MPs overseeing the founding of Your Party at that point – Corbyn, Hussain, Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, and Iqbal Mohamed – deemed the sum “insufficient” and stated they would pursue immediate recovery of the remainder.
In a joint statement issued before Hussain’s resignation, the group stated: “Building a democratic party from the ground up was never going to be smooth sailing. Some of the difficulties we have faced were inevitable, but others were deliberate acts.”
“A dedicated team of volunteers has been working on a shoestring budget to deliver a founding conference at the end of the month.”
“Their efforts are heroic, but without funding Your Party’s capacity has been severely restricted.”
The group pledged to “continue to pursue the immediate transfer of all the money” and resolve “outstanding legal issues.”
Your Party insiders suggest the funds are essential to enable the party’s first conference, scheduled for November 29th, where delegates will determine the name, rules, and leadership model.
A source within the party indicated that it would likely be “forced to reduce delegate numbers” at the event.
Sultana’s team maintains that she is acting responsibly, as she “is still legally responsible for ensuring the company is properly run.”
A spokesperson for Sultana stated that “briefings of possible liabilities are overblown,” but added that “all remaining funds will be transferred to Your Party once the company’s costs and liabilities are settled in full.”
“Zarah did not seek to become sole director of MOU Operations Ltd, but was prepared to take on this responsibility after the other five Independent Alliance MPs declined to join her as co-directors,” the spokesperson said.
“Further installments will be paid as soon as possible, as the legal details are ironed out.”
Another £200,000 is scheduled for November 19th, with a third payment of £200,000 due on November 26th, just three days before the party’s founding conference in Liverpool.
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