Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s new political party has continued to gain massive support since announcing its launch five days ago.
In just under a week, over 600,000 people have reportedly signed up to Your Party, signalling a growing appetite among UK voters for a change in the status quo.
It’s unclear whether signing up via the platform equates to party membership, but the numbers are striking: Labour is thought to have around 300,000 paid members, whereas Reform boasts of 230,000.
In a statement to The Standard, Corbyn said: “For too long, people have been denied a real political choice. Not anymore.
“Half a million people don’t sign up in three days for no reason. This is what happens when people are disempowered and denied a real choice by a stale two-party system. This is what happens when people are given hope that things can - and will - be different.
“Make no mistake, this is just the beginning. We are an unstoppable movement for equality, democracy and peace — and we are never, ever going away.”
News of Corbyn and Sultana’s party gaining vast support has been met with joy among a number of people on social media.
“Half a million people who think like me. Thank you, I'm not so alone, it appears,” wrote one.
Another said: “When I signed up for your party I felt like I was joining the resistance! Together we can make a difference and fight against the inequality in this country . God I feel so hopeful! It feels fantastic!”
In the last few days, both independent MPs have been celebrating the number of people who have joined them. But at this point, what else do we know about the new political party?
Your Party: Everything we know
So far, little is known about what Corbyn and Sultana have in store for the new political party, except for what has been shared in their opening statement.
Based on their statement, it appears the party will be one designed for the people and those frustrated by existing political structures, while maintaining liberal values and pushing for a better society.
It’s understood that some of the party’s goals will be to redistribute wealth and power by “taxing the very richest”, keeping the “NHS free of privatisation”, and bringing rail, energy, water and rail services into public ownership.
It is also described as a party for “people of all faiths and none”, and seemingly urges ordinary Brits to pivot their frustration away from right-wing talking points like migrants and instead onto power structures that thrive on inequality.
“The great dividers want you to think that the problems in our society are caused by migrants or refugees. They’re not. They are caused by an economic system that protects the interests of corporations and billionaires. It is ordinary people who create the wealth – and it is ordinary people who have the power to put it back where it belongs,” the statement reads.
Another major goal appears to focus on “a free and independent Palestine”. As a growing chorus of international voices expresses concerns of genocide in the Gaza Strip, Sultana and Corbyn have remained vocal advocates for stopping UK arms sales to Israel and ending the bloodshed, while criticising Labour’s delayed response.
It’s understood the party doesn’t have a name yet, but Sultana did suggest to Novara Media that she hopes it would be simply called “The Left Party.” In the comments, others suggested “The People’s Party.”
Those who have signed up to support the movement will be able to shape the foundations of the new political party as they gear up for an inaugural founding conference.
According to reports, the party may fight in local elections next May before setting their sights on the general election, which they hope to shake up.
In a recent op-ed for The Guardian, Corbyn also reflected on the surge in support for the new party, writing: “This was not just a rejection of the establishment. It was a rallying cry for a new way of doing politics – one that is open, inclusive and democratic.”
Signing off on a positive note, Corbyn also spoke of bringing hope to Brits at a time when many feel disillusioned with the way the country is run.
He added: “You will find proof that a better world is possible. We are not fighting for crumbs. We are fighting for real change.”
The Standard approached both Corbyn and Sultana’s teams for more information regarding their plans for the party, but at the time of writing no interview time had been secured.
Who are Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana?
Corbyn and Sultana are two independent MPs who sit on the political left and are at the helm of the new political party.
As the former Labour leader and current MP for Islington North, Corbyn boasts a long career in politics that stretches back to the 1980s. He says he focuses on “anti-racism, anti-imperialism, LGBT+ rights, transport, the environment, opposition to nuclear weapons and military intervention, Trade Union policies, Miscarriages of Justice and more.”
Ms Sultana, on the other hand, is one of the youngest members in politics and currently represents Coventry South. Originally from Birmingham, she joined politics due to frustration with rising tuition fees and has since emerged as a vocal advocate for human rights, ending child hunger, free health care and a free Palestine. Zarah also boasts a growing social media presence that may help connect with younger voters who have become disillusioned with the UK parties.
