Fri. Jul 4th, 2025
Zarah Sultana Reportedly Considers Leaving Labour to Form New Party with Corbyn

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Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party, reportedly with the intention of establishing a new political entity alongside ex-leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Sultana, the MP for Coventry South, who had the Labour whip withdrawn last year for supporting a motion to abolish the two-child benefit cap, stated that the proposed party would unite independent MPs and activists to challenge what she described as a “broken” Westminster system.

While Corbyn has been contacted for comment, he has not yet confirmed his involvement to the BBC.

However, he alluded to the possibility of forming a new party during an appearance on ITV’s Peston last night, stating that “there is a thirst for an alternative” and that a “grouping will come together.”

In a statement posted on social media, Sultana cited the government’s alleged “active participation in genocide” in Gaza, along with growing poverty, the government’s welfare policies, and the cost of living crisis, as key motivations for forming the new party.

“Labour has completely failed to improve people’s lives. And across the political establishment, from Farage to Starmer, they smear people of conscience trying to stop a genocide in Gaza as terrorists.

“But the truth is clear: this government is an active participant in genocide. And the British people oppose it.”

Israel has strongly refuted allegations of committing genocide or genocidal acts in Gaza.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described the situation in Gaza as “appalling and intolerable,” repeatedly calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

However, some MPs are urging him to go further and characterize the situation in Gaza as a genocide, claims that are currently under examination by the International Court of Justice.

Sultana also referenced the government’s welfare bill, which passed this week, stating, “The government wants to make disabled people suffer; they just can’t decide how much.”

“We’re not an island of strangers,” she said, referencing a speech given by the prime minister in May about immigration, which he has since said he regrets. She added that at the next election, “the choice will be stark: socialism or barbarism.”

In response to her resignation and comments, a Labour Party spokesperson stated: “In just 12 months, this Labour government has boosted wages, delivered an extra four million NHS appointments, opened 750 free breakfast clubs, secured three trade deals and four interest rate cuts lowering mortgage payments for millions.

“Only Labour can deliver the change needed to renew Britain.”

Sultana was elected as a Labour MP at the 2024 general election but was suspended not long after, and has since sat in the Commons as an independent.

She was suspended with seven other Labour MPs, including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, for defying the government over its two-child benefit cap.

Four have of the rebels have since returned to Labour, but Sultana and McDonnell remain independents.

Despite her suspension, she had remained a member of the Labour Party.

Responding to Sultana’s announcement, McDonnell posted on social media: “I am dreadfully sorry to lose Zarah from the Labour Party.

“The people running Labour at the moment need to ask themselves why a young, articulate, talented, extremely dedicated socialist feels she now has no home in the Labour Party and has to leave.”

Last year, Corbyn united with four other MPs elected as independents to establish an alliance in the House of Commons.

All five of the group beat Labour candidates in July’s election with their pro-Palestinian stance in constituencies with large Muslim populations.

Speaking to ITV’s Peston programme, he said he and fellow pro-Gaza independents would “come together” and “there will be an alternative”.

He said it would be based on “peace rather than war”.

His alliance includes MPs Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, and Iqbal Mohamed.

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