The new party of the left has got off to a pretty shaky start. It doesn’t have a proper name, its co-leaders (Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana) barely get along and already left-wing activists are trying to oust party strategists. But no matter: the group is ploughing ahead and will, it transpires, be launching its first Scottish branch next month. How very interesting…
Your Party – which is not the official name of the group, Sultana fumed on social media – will launch a Scottish branch in Glasgow next month, with an assembly to take place on 5 September. In a statement, the group has said:
Glaswegians are champing at the bit for change. We are ready to play our part in building a new democracy from the grassroots up. This means not only how society is run but also how our party is built. It must be democratic, accountable and rooted in communities and for the working class. What unites us are shared principles and common struggles. We believe in equality, solidarity, democracy and justice. From these socialist principles come the fights we must take on: against capitalism, social injustice, genocide and war. We stand in defence of public services for the many, with grassroots power at its heart.
We agree that Glasgow, Scotland and all other regions and branches should bear equitable responsibilities, have organisational and decision making autonomy, and recognise the need to build bridges and a working partnership across the left. This is only the beginning. We know there are more folk out there just as passionate about real change. We want you with us. It’s Your Party after all!
Warms the heart, eh?
The announcement has sparked speculation ahead of next year’s Scottish parliament elections that Jezza’s new outfit could stand candidates for Holyrood. The group is hoping to position itself as the left-wing equivalent to Reform, whose support has soared in England and Wales – with Nigel Farage’s party experiencing a surge in Scotland more recently too. But if Corbyn and Sultana do finally get their act together and organise an effective lefty bloc up north, it could pose problems for the SNP and Scottish Greens. And will it take a stance on independence? Stay tuned…
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