Discussions ongoing about new party, says Jeremy Corbyn

Discussions ongoing about new party, says Jeremy Corbyn

Kate Whannel, a political reporter, and Iain Watson, a political correspondent, reported that Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed ongoing discussions after former Labour MP Zarah Sultana announced her departure from the party to collaborate with him in establishing a new left-wing party. Corbyn commended Sultana for her principled decision and expressed his delight in her contribution to building a genuine alternative. He hinted at the formation of a novel political party centered on democratic principles, spearheaded by a small coalition of independent pro-Gaza MPs, under Corbyn’s guidance, with intentions to field candidates in the upcoming local elections.

The BBC highlighted that the matter of leadership and the precise timing of the announcement remained unsettled when Sultana made her public declaration. Some advocates of the project sought a democratic conference to determine leadership matters. While several left-leaning Labour MPs lauded Sultana’s choice, none have confirmed their participation in the new initiative. Ian Lavery, the MP for Blyth, acknowledged the shifting political landscape, expressing a growing dissatisfaction with the prevailing two-party system and a widespread desire for a left-wing alternative.

In response to Sultana’s departure, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper noted the MP’s consistent divergence from the Labour government’s policies on various issues. Cooper defended the government’s track record, citing improvements in NHS waiting times, the addition of neighborhood police officers, and the extension of free school meals as tangible advancements benefiting people. Sultana’s suspension from the Parliamentary Labour Party last year reflected her vote against the government’s two-child benefit cap and subsequent alignment with stances opposing the government’s policies on Gaza and the welfare bill.

Corbyn, who faced suspension from the Labour Party in 2020, refrained from an immediate response to Sultana’s announcement but later praised her decision and hinted at constructive collaborations to establish a new political entity advocating for meaningful change. Following his expulsion from the Labour Party, Corbyn secured a successful independent candidacy in the 2024 general election and joined forces with like-minded independent MPs sharing views on the Israel-Gaza conflict, forming the potential core of the envisaged new party

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