Those with fond memories of Jeremy Corbyn’s tenure as Labour leader may recall the frequent chaos that defined his leadership. Late-night reshuffle briefings and abrupt sackings, such as Hilary Benn’s dismissal at nearly 2am, were not uncommon. It’s therefore little surprise that Mr Corbyn’s mooted launch of a new left-wing political party appears just as disorganised—despite the fact it hasn’t officially begun and remains nameless. In classic Corbyn fashion, the confusion has set in before the campaign has even taken shape.
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The Financial Times recently reported that Mr Corbyn was left frustrated after Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana prematurely announced the formation of the new party without consulting him. According to one ally, she “jumped the gun to get the data and the donations.” The move prompted awkward denials from Mr Corbyn’s closest former allies. John McDonnell, who served as his shadow chancellor, affirmed his commitment to Labour, stating he remains a party member and merely expects the whip to be restored. Diane Abbott, his former shadow home secretary, also declined to join the new venture.
Predictably, Labour’s political opponents have responded with glee. Zia Yusuf of Reform UK declared that Corbyn, while possessing “awful policies,” is a more capable politician than Sir Keir Starmer and could cost Labour numerous seats at the next general election. Sir Keir may try to frame the emergence of Corbyn’s new project as further evidence of Labour’s transformation under his leadership. However, it would be unwise for the party’s leadership to underestimate the potential impact of a revived Corbyn movement on its electoral base.
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Corbyn’s past leadership was defined by mass rallies, a fervent grassroots following, and high-profile appearances like his Glastonbury speech in 2017. Though he may struggle to attract institutional support, particularly from pro-Gaza independents, there’s little doubt that thousands of left-wing activists would flock to a new platform that promises “real change”. At 76, Mr Corbyn may be older, but his appetite for activism remains strong. Even with a disorganised launch, his influence could still splinter the Labour vote—posing a fresh headache for Sir Keir in the years to come.
