Divisions Remain as New Party Prepares Second Membership Drive
Tensions persist within the newly forming political party led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana following a dispute over an unauthorized membership portal launch.While relations are described as cordial, sources indicate Corbyn harbors a “complete lack of trust” towards Sultana, marking the second instance of a unilateral action by the Coventry South MP.
The conflict began when Sultana launched a membership portal last week without party authorization, prompting condemnation from Corbyn and the other Autonomous Alliance MPs - Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan hussain, and Iqbal Mohamed – who labeled it a “false membership system” and urged supporters to cancel payments. Approximately 20,000 supporters had already paid the £55 fee through the portal.
Sultana defended her actions, alleging she had been excluded by a “sexist boys’ club” within the party. Her allies further claimed a “paranoid anti-democratic faction” was attempting to divert funds to a company under its control, specifically referencing the involvement of Karie Murphy, a longtime ally of Corbyn.
Corbyn refuted these accusations, stating sultana had not been excluded from discussions and that the process remained “rooted in inclusivity and mutual respect,” in a joint statement signed by all Independent Alliance MPs.
Despite the ongoing disagreements, all parties express a desire to move forward with the party’s launch and founding conference. Sultana’s allies maintain she is actively seeking to reconcile with Corbyn and ensure the conference proceeds as planned. She recently paused plans to consult defamation lawyers regarding statements made about her following the initial portal launch, raising hopes for a more unified approach.
However, the dispute has exacerbated tensions among the MPs involved. The four Independent Alliance mps are reportedly distressed by Sultana’s public statements, with sources noting a surge in racist and Islamophobic abuse directed at them - and even their families – online as a result of the “sexist boys club” characterization.
despite these challenges, all involved emphasize that the party’s constitution, leadership, and policy will be determined by a one-member-one-vote system at the founding conference, with MPs overseeing the transition rather than dictating the outcome. A second, lower-profile membership launch is intended to help the party move past its initial chaotic start.
