Zarah Sultana says crisis-hit Your Party is a ‘30 year project’

Zarah Sultana said that your Party “can win power” despite the turbulent beginning of the new left movement.

Ms Sultana, who founded the party with former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn, told the BBC she saw it as a “10, 20, 30-year project” after the party had been beset by infighting since its inception.

Speaking to the broadcaster’s Political Thought podcast, the Coventry South MP (who left Labor to form the party earlier this year) said: “I’m in politics because of the desire to change people’s lives for the better, and that means winning state power, which means actually running the government.

“We are building a left party that can win power and ensure justice.”

Since its inception in the summer, the party has faced controversy over its leadership, funding and what to call it. The outfit attracted tens of thousands of registrations.

Ms Sultana said in the same podcast that she advocated for the party to be known as the ‘Left’ or ‘Left Party’. The name is expected to be chosen by the members.

“I don’t think they will go to the Left Party despite my strong advocacy,” Ms. Sultana said.

“And of course I’ll support whatever members decide. But I think it’s incredibly important to embrace our politics and be proud of who we are on the left as socialists, and then go out and knock on doors and present that vision.”

Ms Sultana and Mr Corbyn appeared to be at odds for a time last month following an argument over the party membership system, with Ms Sultana sending an email from Your Party’s account inviting supporters to become paid members, apparently without Mr Corbyn’s support.

This led to a violent fight between the pair, with Ms Sultana claiming she had been exposed to a “sexist boys’ club”.

Threats of legal action were rescinded and politicians reconciled, but the saga highlighted a schism within the party.

After the debate, Mr Corbyn admitted the party had “not set ourselves up for victory”.

At the end of September, he released an “official” membership portal, posting a video message in which he said: “As you will no doubt be aware, we have had some worrying days this past week. And to be honest, we have not found ourselves victorious.”

“But the most important thing is this: We all agree on the plans for the conference and the road map to achieve it.”

He added: “People desperately want a real alternative, a chance for an alternative to poverty, war and injustice.”

The episode followed a series of questions regarding the launch of the party and subsequently the name of the party.

When Ms Sultana resigned from the Labor Party, she said she was forming a new team with the former Islington North MP, but it wasn’t until Mr Corbyn appeared ready to officially announce the move.

“implemented with website”yourparty.ukHowever, Ms Sultana later said “it is not called Your Party”. The term has since been used as a name until an official title was decided.

A founding conference will be held in Liverpool in November.