Corbyn apologizes for confusion as new left-wing party launches membership drive

Jeremy Corbyn apologized to supporters for the confusion surrounding the formation of a new left-wing party and the launch of a membership scheme for Your Party. In a video posted to social media, the former Labour leader acknowledged that the venture had faced “fraught days in the last week” and that the group “hasn't covered ourselves in glory.” He said the priority was the conference roadmap and building the movement from the grassroots, adding that the party would belong to its members, who would elect leadership and shape policy.

Your Party said details of the new membership scheme had been sent to more than 750,000 people who had signed up to get involved, with a £5 monthly fee or £55 annual option. Corbyn and others said emails inviting people to join were unauthorized and should be ignored, and any direct debits set up should be immediately cancelled. The party also confirmed that its founding conference would take place in November in Liverpool, where 13,000 members will be chosen by lottery to attend the two-day gathering to debate and vote on the party’s structure and programme.

Ahead of the conference, Your Party plans a series of regional assemblies across Britain to debate the party’s founding constitution and strategy. Proposals and the permanent name will be put to an online vote among all members. The organizers say the process is designed to translate broad support into a formal political vehicle, while seeking consensus on governance and direction amid ongoing internal tensions.

Sultana, who left Labour in July and now sits as an independent MP for Coventry South, has accused Corbyn of sidelining her and fostering a “sexist boys’ club” culture. She promoted the initial membership portal but later said she would reconcile and would not pursue legal action. The pair had clashed over the party’s name, with Sultana insisting it would not be called Your Party, while Corbyn hinted that the name could endure.

Despite the tensions, Your Party’s organizers said the founding conference and roadmap were on track. The online vote will cover key questions of structure and strategy, and funds raised through the membership scheme will be safeguarded by a company created to hold money until the founding conference takes place. The party has emphasized its intention to be a grassroots-led movement that hands decision-making to members rather than a top-down leadership.

The episode illustrates the challenges of turning early momentum behind a new political project into a formal vehicle in the British political landscape. The November conference in Liverpool is expected to be a focal point for test votes and the shape of the party's platform, with a rolling program of assemblies to gather input ahead of the vote.