Jeremy Corbyn plans to launch new political party

UK’s Labour Party’s former leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has revealed he is in talks to start a new political party because Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government had “refused to deliver the change” voters expected during its first year in office.

Corbyn, a well-known socialist who became Labour’s leader in 2015, had ambitious plans for nationalisation and became the party’s most left-wing leader in decades. However, he stepped down in 2019 after Labour suffered its worst election defeat since 1935.

In 2020, Labour suspended Corbyn and later expelled him over how the party handled antisemitism complaints during his leadership.

Corbyn’s move to create a new political party could split Labour’s traditional left-wing support at a time when the party is already losing popularity.

“The democratic foundation of a new kind of political party will take shape soon,” Corbyn said on X. “Discussions are ongoing — and I am excited to work alongside all communities to fight for the future people deserve.”

This news comes after a tough week for Labour, as the government was forced to drop key welfare reform plans, creating a gap in its budget.

Since Labour’s big win against the Conservatives last year, Starmer’s popularity has dropped sharply. The party is now even trailing behind Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK in some polls.

When asked about Labour’s biggest achievement in the past year, most voters replied, “nothing”, according to a survey by More In Common. The same poll found that a new left-wing party led by Corbyn could attract 10% of votes, cutting Labour’s share from 23% to 20%.

Corbyn, who was re-elected as an independent MP last year, added: “Labour government has refused to deliver the change people expected and deserved”.

On Thursday, lawmaker Zarah Sultana announced she was leaving Labour to join Corbyn in forming the new party. Corbyn praised her move as a “principled decision” and said he was delighted she would “help build us a real alternative”.

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