CROYDON COMMENTARY: As party politics in Britain fractures ever more, BOB HEWLETT, a former official in the local Labour Party, takes a look at the newest alternative
Left turn: former Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn (second left) and Zara Sultana have confirmed that they are launching a new party
So with a press of the “Send” button, I became part of the new left political project called “Your Party”.
The founding statement by Zara Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn is broad brush and any left-leaning individual could not but agree with its contents.
Because of this approach, the inaugural conference will be interesting logistically, as it will be both online and in-person, according to the email I received. The direction, structure and platform will be decided by this conference.
While I am interested in and hopeful of this project, the enormity of transforming, from having politically nebulous ideas and thoughts from thousands of individuals, into a hard physical political representative entity, is not lost on me.
The enmity to this project from all sides will immense and unrelenting. The vested interests from the established leftist political parties and the capitalist class will ally with each other to destroy this newcomer.
But this new political venture can learn from the failures of both of these.
The capitalist failures are there to be seen so can be of short shrift. The failures of the established leftist political parties can be harder to discern. Failures can be from “being in permanent opposition” to esoteric dissertations.
I will lay my cards on the table, that as a proud socialist, I am dogmatic in my politics but I am pragmatic in its applications. It can be a political ha-ha to have one’s political aims turn into a Christmas wish list.
I hope my fellow travellers in this new project avoid this and focus on making this new political project into a member-led political reality.
I will keep Inside Croydon readers impartially informed.
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Reminds me of the old Robb Wilton poem.
He said it was your party.
I said whose?
He said yours
I said mine
He said yours.
I said no
He said yes
I said oh.
Hello Derek, if only it were true. Try Robb Wilton’s monologue about two bloke talking about the same woman.
Your Party already has a grip on the public’s imagination. But how will the party’s biggest issue – Gaza – go down in middle-of-the-road Coydon?
Hello Christopher, I am sure the plight of starving men, women and children being shot at whilst trying to get food, the constant bombing of hospitals and the utter awfulness of the lack of compassion, sympathy and humanitarian assistance has not gone unnoticed by MOTR Croydonians.
Agreed. Now let’s see the same compassion and anger focussed on the Chinese Communists ethnically cleansing the Uighurs, those poor benighted people in South Sudan, not to mention the carnage in Ukraine. A million Russians are dead ffs.
Chris, I haven’t seen you out campaigning for the Uyghurs, South Sudanese, Russians, Ukrainians, Rohingya Karen, etc, etc, etc, I expect you’ve been too busy signalling your immense virtue
I have the same compassion and anger for all of those communities you have listed over their horrific abuse. I also have no doubt that you will also share with me the same compassion and anger over the treatment of asylum seekers crossing the Channel.
What I fear will happen is a huge rally in somewhere like Central Hall with everyone resolving to return to their constiuencies and prepare for government. Which in a few months will boil down to meetings above pubs where the fresh faces are scared off by the usual suspects indulging in petty squabbles over idealogical purity.
Hello Nick, I take your point and tried to cover it without be too downbeat. I was a member of the SWP in the ’80s. The policy of the SWP back then was to get its members elected to Trade Union Branch positions, a policy which was, in the main, successful. Then reality kicked in and compromises had to be made in negotiations. I went to a big meeting held in Lambeth Town Hall where it was proposed that we gave up our positions and argued from the rank and file. It was passed. Ludicrous. Hence ‘ permanent opposition ‘. I also agree about ‘petty squabbles’, it is of no use to argue over the menu when control of the kitchen has not been achieved. I do have my reservations but maybe, just maybe, a spark may well ignite the tinder.
Oh ye of little faith, so do you accept that we the people continue to suffer the results of both Labour and Conservatives? Or should the people rise up and make a difference? Let’s have ago at giving the people a chance to Govern.
Gone tits up rather sooner than I thought, can’t even set up a membership system let alone an autumn founding conference without falling out.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/18/jeremy-corbyn-clashes-zarah-sultana-your-party-split
The Fruit and Nut party indeep
I to am an ex Labour member and supporter of over 50 years and I moved to Croydon 30 years ago. Croydon Labour have been the worst CLP and branches I’ve ever experienced.
I left the party some years ago because both Nationaly and locally they put themselves first, themselves second and the people last. I signed up for Your Party within 24 hours of its launch. Why? They really are putting PEOPLE FIRST!
So, if a person is to become a Councillor for the Labour Party, do they become a representative for the people or do they become a slave to the Party. It appears to me that they become a slave to the party. I want to see how Jeremy progresses.
I was at Croydon TUC to hear Corbyn’s speech before he became leader and he was greeted like a conquering hero. Clearly he had a load of support but most people there were old farts like me
Apologies for this late reply. I too was at Ruskin House when Jeremy Corbyn spoke in Cedar Hall. Speakers were put outside for all the people who could not get in but sat outside in the gardens, which I personally found more amenable. Speaking to attendees afterwards eg Andrew Pelling and others, it was noted that the attendance spread across a vast range of ages from both genders and backgrounds. I can also remember saying that except for nuclear weapons there was quite alot that Clement Attlee would have not disagreed with. Attlee nowadays would in all likelihood have his membership to the Labour Party suspended under Starmer.