Cliff Notes
- Independent MP Zarah Sultana has announced the formation of a new political party, co-led with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, following her resignation from the Labour Party after 14 years due to her suspension.
- Sultana emphasised the party’s aim to challenge wealth inequality, declaring that “50 families now own more wealth than half the UK population,” and called for a unified political alternative for the underrepresented.
- She remains critical of established political figures, labelling Nigel Farage a “billionaire-backed grifter,” while asserting that current government actions against dissent and solidarity, particularly regarding the Palestine question, reflect a broader failure of the political system.
MP Zarah Sultana who was ousted from Labour announces she is starting new political party with Jeremy Corbyn
An MP who was ousted from the Labour Party has announced she is setting up a new political party with Jeremy Corbyn.
Independent MP Zarah Sultana said she and the former Labour leader will co-lead the new party, which she did not provide a name for.
She said other independent MPs, campaigners and activists from across the country will join them, but did not name anyone.
Zarah Sultana’s stinging resignation letter
Ms Sultana also said she was “resigning” from the Labour Party after 14 years.
She was suspended as a Labour MP shortly after they came to power last summer for voting against the government maintaining the two-child benefit cap.
Several others from the left of the party, including Mr Corbyn, were also suspended for voting against the government, and also remained as independent MPs.
Ms Sultana was still a member of the Labour Party – until now.
Mr Corbyn has previously said the independent MPs who were suspended from Labour would “come together” to provide an “alternative” party which will be about “a society that deals with poverty, inequality and a foreign policy based on peace not war”, he told ITV on Wednesday.
The other four independents are: Iqbal Mohamed, Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan and Adnan Hussain.
Mr Corbyn and the other four independents have not said if they are part of the new party Ms Sultana announced.
In her announcement, Ms Sultana said she would vote to abolish the two-child benefit cap again and also voted against scrapping the winter fuel payment for most pensioners.
Ms Sultana also voted against the government’s welfare bill this week, which was heavily watered down as Sir Keir Starmer tried to prevent a major rebellion from his own MPs.
