Power Play: The £800,000 Standoff in Corbyn's New Party

In an escalating dispute over £800,000, Jeremy Corbyn’s new political movement, tentatively named Your Party, faces critical challenges due to funds withheld by Zarah Sultana. The money stems from an earlier wave of donations collected by MoU Operations Ltd, a temporary holding company established to manage donations prior to the official registration of Your Party on September 30.

Sultana, who is expected to be one of the party’s foundational leaders, has publicly stated that she is in the process of transferring all finances and data to Your Party, but has cited the need for due diligence as a reason for the delay. This issue has ignited tensions within the party as insiders express concerns that the funds are vital for the upcoming founding conference scheduled for November 29 in Liverpool. If the funds are not released, delegate numbers at the conference may have to be reduced.

The situation becomes more complicated as the founding board of MoU recently resigned, leaving Sultana as the sole director, which has further exacerbated the power dynamics within the party. Officials from Your Party have dismissed the complaints from MoU as irrelevant, claiming they faced a lack of engagement regarding governance issues raised by Sultana and her colleagues.

The internal conflict is also compounded by naming disputes, with Sultana advocating for a title change to The Left Party, while Corbyn favors the original name. A vote on the final name is expected to take place during the founding conference.

Despite their tumultuous relationship, Sultana has expressed a desire to co-lead with Corbyn, signaling intentions of commitment to long-term goals. However, tensions around issues such as unauthorized membership schemes and financial governance loom large over the new party’s future, highlighting both the challenges and aspirations of launching a progressive political movement amid internal conflicts.