New political groups in the UK have often struggled to sustain their influence. Take Change UK, which launched with high expectations in early 2019 but dissolved by year’s end. Now, Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana are making a fresh attempt. Their success may hinge on the perspective one takes.
The newly formed left-wing party, yet to be named, was officially introduced by Corbyn and his former Labour colleague this week. It holds a key strength: Corbyn’s well-established public recognition.
A regular YouGov survey on politician awareness shows that 98% of voters recognize Corbyn—more than Keir Starmer or Nigel Farage.
"Jeremy Corbyn’s identity and principles are widely known. In launching a new political movement, that’s more than half the challenge—it’s most of it," noted Robert Ford, a political science professor at Manchester University.
"Many disagree with his views, but that isn’t his aim. He isn’t trying to appeal to everyone."
This points to a second potential advantage for the group, currently labelled "Your Party." Unlike Change UK, which gathered centrist defectors from Labour and the Conservatives, or even Corbyn’s previous role as Labour leader, this initiative does not need to moderate its stances to attract centrist support.
Led jointly by Corbyn and Sultana, the party is clearly targeting left-leaning voters who previously backed Labour, the Greens, or independent candidates focused on Gaza, who displaced Labour in four seats during the last election.
"Realistically, no one expects Corbyn to become prime minister," Ford added. "The goal isn’t that. It’s to provide an alternative for those who believe Labour has shifted too far to the right. So, he no longer faces the same hurdles he did years ago."
Polls before the launch indicated national support of up to 10%. However, new parties often struggle to sustain early momentum, and success depends on building an efficient campaign structure—a difficult task from the ground up.
The impact at the constituency level could vary. Ford suggests it may either complicate or ease Labour’s electoral prospects, depending on local dynamics.
For instance, even a 5% vote share for Corbyn-Sultana candidates could shift results, potentially costing Labour seats against the Conservatives or Reform UK.
The Greens may also face setbacks in their efforts to gain Labour-held seats, especially in areas where they were runners-up in 2024, as some of their supporters might be drawn to the new party.
Critics from the Greens have dismissed the group’s initial statement as offering "only a passing mention of the climate crisis," calling it outdated. Corbyn’s primary electoral appeal may rest elsewhere.
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