Zarah Sultana has long been a strong, uncompromising, left-wing voice in parliament. And on the night of 3 July, she finally announced she’d quit the Labour Party. She also took the opportunity to announce her prominent involvement in the coming left-wing party that has been in the making for many months. There were few further details, though. Because while Sultana’s statement was a big announcement, it wasn’t the announcement.
Zarah Sultana/Jeremy Corbyn: a new party is close, but this is not ‘politics as usual’
The Canary has spoken to several sources close to the discussions regarding a new party. And we understand that, while there will be an announcement about the new party soon, we’re not there yet. That’s why Sultana’s statement wasn’t a joint announcement with Jeremy Corbyn and others.
What we can see from the excitement surrounding Zarah Sultana’s announcement, however, is the hunger and sense of urgency there is in the country for such a party.
At 6:30pm tonight, Corbyn is due to speak at an event with independent candidate Leanne Mohamad about “Breaking the Two-Party Nightmare“. That would be an appropriate place for Corbyn to address Sultana’s announcement. So we may know a bit more by the end of the day.
Sources have definitely told the Canary, however, that this will not be ‘politics as usual’. There will be a heavy focus on local organisation. Indeed, many independents up and down the country have already been organising, setting up structures, and fielding candidates since before the 2024 general election. And we understand that in the initial stages, the national organisation both Corbyn and Sultana have spoken about will very much focus on supporting these efforts and building on what they’ve already achieved.
Flexibility will be key. Local and regional autonomy will be key. And cooperation across the left will be key. Figures and groups on the left have been pushing, for example, for trade union involvement and comradely communication with existing left-wing groups and candidates.
The aim for now is preparing for victories in the 2026 local elections, Senedd elections in Wales, and Holyrood elections. A national membership organisation will support that. Then, an official party will contest the 2029 general election.
Details will come, but the spirit is already there
A week after a promising poll, Corbyn said yesterday that the “alternative of a left independent party, of a socialist view” will come. He’s already working with independents, and “that grouping will come together” to fight for:
a society that deals with poverty, inequality, and a foreign policy that’s based on peace rather than war.
He has already been travelling around the country, supporting efforts to build the resistance via community empowerment. And he has suggested that “in a short time”, something will be “in place” (definitely before “next year’s local elections”). Corbyn ally and former Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, meanwhile, added to this recently by promising an alternative will form “in a very short period of time”.
Zack Polanski, who has been running for leader of the Green Party, responded to Zarah Sultana’s announcement by saying:
Anyone who wants to take on the Tories, Reform and this failing Labour government is a friend of mine.
That’s the kind of cooperative spirit that the left needs right now, in the face of right-wing domination in parliament.
Establishment interests know very well how to ensure they get the politicians they want in parliament. Ordinary people need to work a lot harder to get that. Passion is essential. But organisation is arguably even more important. Because we’ll never have the backing of the super-reach. So we need to be smart, and make every penny and ounce of energy count.
Featured image via the Canary
By Ed Sykes
This post was originally published on Canary.