"Revival sparks hope: Is the British left on the rise again?"

In the past week, 100 people joined Majority, a progressive coalition in north-east England that supports wealth taxes, public control of essential services, and the protection of universal rights.

While a small figure in a nation of 57 million, it reflects a broader trend of grassroots movements on the left. These groups have grown amid dissatisfaction with Labour’s policies after a year in government, frustration over benefit cuts affecting the poorest, and outrage over the ongoing violence in Gaza.

Nearly five years after Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension from Labour and the left’s withdrawal, there are signs of renewed energy and a desire to challenge obstacles to their objectives.

New alliances have emerged. Alongside Majority, there is *We Deserve Better*, established by activist and *CuriosityNews* columnist Owen Jones, who left Labour after 24 years. The group is fundraising to back alternative candidates. Another, *Collective*, led by two of Corbyn’s former allies, calls itself the driving force behind a potential new left-wing party in the UK.

Left-leaning independents have performed strongly in recent elections. Corbyn, barred from running as a Labour candidate last year, won comfortably as an independent. Four pro-Palestine independents, campaigning on Gaza, defeated Labour opponents, while another nearly unseated health secretary Wes Streeting. The Greens also gained four parliamentary seats.

In local elections, Jamie Driscoll—who founded Majority after Labour blocked his mayoral bid—secured second place with 28% of the vote. Majority, which includes Labour, Green, and Liberal Democrat members as well as local activists, now aims to win Newcastle’s city council next year. Meanwhile, over 200 Labour councillors nationwide have resigned.

Last week, the left made its most significant move in years. Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana, suspended from Labour for opposing the two-child benefit cap, announced she would co-lead a new party with Corbyn. “The time is now,” she stated on social media.

Polls suggest the party could gain traction. More in Common found 10% of voters would support a Corbyn-led party, rising to nearly a third among 18–24-year-olds. YouGov reported 18% might consider voting for it.

Sultana’s announcement followed Keir Starmer’s struggle to pass a welfare bill, with many Labour MPs threatening to rebel. Though concessions secured its passage, 47 defied the leadership in a rare display of dissent.