Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has announced the formation of a new political party with Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana.
The unnamed party had been rumoured to be in the works since Sultana announced the pair’s intention to do so earlier this month, along with her resignation from the Labour Party.
ITV News understands the party’s name will be decided by a vote at its first conference.
Corbyn confirmed the new political group’s formation in a statement, co-signed by Sultana, posted to his X account on Thursday.
The pair’s statement begins by highlighting growing inequality and poverty, saying: “The system is rigged.
“We cannot accept these injustices and neither should you.”
It continues: “It’s time for a new kind of political party. One that is rooted in our communities, trade unions and social movements. One that builds power in all regions and nations. One that belongs to you.”
Promising an inaugural party conference in the near future to decide on policy and direction, the statement concludes: “Real change is coming.”
“There’s already a democratic party in this country that stands for social justice, racial justice and economic justice,” said Green Party leadership candidate Zack Polanski.
Zack Polanski, a candidate to be the next leader of the Green Party, said he welcomes the news that people are breaking away from more centrist Labour positions, but that there is already a party which stands for more left-wing values – the Greens.
“I like them and they know I like them, but this isn’t about personal things, it’s about politics and our politics is very much aligned,” said Polanski.
Reform, who have been enjoying success in several polls and by-elections, have also been tipped to steal votes from the main parties.
Asked about this, Corbyn said: “Reform only offer a message of division and blame.
“All they do is say that every social problem in our society is, somehow or other, the fault of extremely vulnerable minorities. They are a dangerously divisive force in our society.
“What we’re offering instead is to bring people together so we collectively face the issues of poverty, the issues of bad housing, the issues of underfunded education – so we face those issues together.
“Reform are a road to danger, not a road to any improvement in people’s lives,” he finished.
Certainly the recently announced changes to the voting age in the UK, granting 16-year-olds the right to vote, could be a welcome boost to Corbyn in a contest with Reform.
Polling recently conducted by ITV News suggested young people looked favourably on the former Labour leader, even more so than Reform leader Nigel Farage.
Presented with a list of politicians and other influential people, Corbyn came out as the most popular poltiical figure with 12% saying they ‘strongly approve,’ versus 9% who said the same about Starmer and Farage.
“Reform are a road to danger, not a road to any improvement in people’s lives,” said Corbyn.
The party was launched with some initial confusion, with many believing it to be called “Your Party” due to the weblink and phrasing.
Zarah Sultana later denied this was the party name, with a spokesperson for Corbyn clarifying it was in fact an “interim name” and would not be the final one registered with the electoral commission.
Speaking Thursday, Corbyn denied the launch had been chaotic.
“It it’s not messy at all, it’s a totally coherent approach. It’s democratic, it’s grassroots, and it’s open,” he said.
Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana attend a picket line outside London’s Euston train station in 2022. Credit: PA
Speaking earlier this month, Sultana said: “Westminster is broken but the real crisis is deeper,” the “two-party system offers nothing but managed decline and broken promises.”
She added: “A year ago I was suspended by the Labour Party for voting to abolish the two-child benefit cap and lift 400,000 children out of poverty. I’d do it again.
“I voted against scrapping winter fuel payments for pensioners. I’d do it again. Now, the Government wants to make disabled people suffer; they just can’t decide how much.”
Signing up to the party’s mailing list prompts a request for donations, a repeat of a forthcoming party conference and an email stating: “We are not fighting for crumbs. We are fighting for real change… The time is now.”
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Mr Corbyn led the Labour Party from 2015 to 2020 before being suspended following a row over a report into antisemitism in the party.
He was expelled in 2024 and successfully contested the summer election as an Independent candidate.
Ms Sultana had the Labour whip withdrawn after rebelling against the Government to vote to scrap the two-child benefit cap shortly after the general election. She resigned her Labour membership in 2025.
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