🔗 Share this article The New Left's Inaugural Conference Shows Few Indication of a Clean Slate As the notion of a new leftwing party spearheaded by the former Labour leader and the Coventry South MP was initially proposed in the summer, it was so popular that countless individuals expressed an interest in becoming members. Despite being almost immediately plagued by internal conflicts – its co-founders clashed fiercely over its founding structure and revenue strategy – many hoped this weekend's launch gathering would herald a fresh start. Troubling First Day Many of the attendees are ex-supporters of Labour, disappointed by the policies of the present administration and searching for a political home as they fear the increasing popularity of the competing political group. While preparations for the party's first official gathering were finalised, Sultana and Corbyn seemed to buried the hatchet. Speaking at a progressive event in Manchester last month, Sultana lightheartedly likened the duo to the well-known duo, saying: “I’m here to tell you the project is moving forward.” Yet when the doors to the conference centre in Liverpool opened on Saturday morning, Sultana was conspicuously absent. As Corbyn spoke to kick off the event, she was enjoying a cafe drink in a restaurant about a brief walk from the conference site. Leadership Division It became evident there was no unified position on how the party ought to be governed. Corbyn told journalists he favoured a traditional leadership model, with one person voted into power, and suggested he’d be prepared to compete if members selected this system. However, in an conversation, Sultana said she was supporting a shared governance model, with key decisions being taken by lay members – those not presently working as MPs or councillors. She commented that she did not think parties should be managed by “single leaders”. She did, nonetheless, state she would be willing to stand opposing Corbyn if there was a vote for a single leader. Negative Atmosphere Despite Sultana claiming she and the former Labour leader were getting on “really well” – they had, she said, discussed how they hoped the conference to be “an uplifting and happy event where members feel empowered” – she was scathing about various associates and Your Party officials whom she believes are undermining her. She would not specify who, but it is known that interactions between her backers and Corbyn’s former chief of staff Karie Murphy are particularly fraught. The Coventry South MP – who left Labour in July – added that there was still a “toxic culture” among certain members of Your Party, which had caused “pressure, coercion and defamation” and “planned interference”. Boycott and Group Conflicts Tensions came to a head around lunchtime when it became known Sultana would avoid the first day of the conference, in alliance with prospective attendees who had been denied entry from the event due to connections to other leftwing groups – particularly the the SWP. Her spokesperson described this as a “targeted purge”, adding: “It is essential to create a party that welcomes all socialists.” Allies of Corbyn – who incorrectly claimed on Saturday morning that the SWP was officially recognized by the Electoral Commission – were angry, alleging Sultana had attempted seeking to orchestrate a “secondary event”. They believe allowing multiparty membership would cause disruption and increase the factionalism which already appears to have crippled the emerging organization. Concerning the standing of the SWP, one Corbyn ally said: “It might not be registered with the regulatory body but it is nonetheless a political group. Its title indicates its nature.” Frustration Among Attendees A significant number of participants were frustrated that Saturday’s proceedings descended into factionalism when they would have preferred to discuss important topics such as the cost of living crisis and border controls, as well as preparing for next year’s municipal votes. Your Party is has not determined if it will present its own contenders or endorse non-aligned progressives and some supporters think the party will have not succeeded if it is not listed for election as an alternative to Labour. Expectation for Day Two The outcome is uncertain if the event can be recovered on Sunday, when the outcomes of key votes – such as the official title and leadership structure – will be revealed. Sultana is scheduled to participate and give a speech, which has encouraged those who still desire cohesion. However many participants remained discouraged as they shuffled out of the event venue into a wet evening in Liverpool on Saturday. Maybe the atmosphere of the day was expressed by an individual participant, who said: “My generous drink is turning into a entire container.”