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When the concept of a fresh leftwing party spearheaded by Jeremy Corbyn and the Coventry South MP was initially proposed in the summer, it attracted huge support that hundreds of thousands expressed an interest in becoming members.

Although it was almost immediately plagued by disputes – its co-founders clashed fiercely over its founding structure and financial approach – many hoped this weekend's first major event would signal a new beginning.

Concerning First Day

A sizeable chunk of the attendees are former Labour members, disappointed by the agenda of the incumbent leadership and looking for a ideological base as they fear the increasing popularity of the rival party.

While preparations for the party's first official gathering were completed, Sultana and Corbyn seemed to buried the hatchet. Participating in a progressive event in Manchester last month, Sultana humorously paralleled the partnership to the well-known duo, saying: “I want to announce the project is moving forward.”

Yet when the entrances to the event venue in Liverpool opened on Saturday morning, Sultana was curiously absent. As Corbyn gave his introductory speech, she was drinking a warm beverage in a cafe about a mile from the location.

Leadership Conflict

The situation revealed there was no unified position on how the party needed to be structured. Corbyn informed the press he preferred a conventional single-leader system, with a single individual voted into power, and suggested he’d be inclined to stand if members selected this system.

However, in an interview, Sultana said she was supporting a group decision-making process, with key decisions being decided by lay members – those not presently working as MPs or councillors. She added that she did not think parties should be managed by “sole personalities”. She did, nonetheless, indicate she would be prepared to run in competition with Corbyn if there was a contest for a individual head.

Toxic Culture

While Sultana maintained she and the previous leader were maintaining a positive relationship – they had, she said, spoken about how they hoped the conference to be “an uplifting and happy event where members are enabled” – she was scathing about various associates and group leaders whom she thinks are undermining her. She would not specify who, but it is known that relations between her supporters and Corbyn’s previous top advisor Karie Murphy are particularly fraught.

The elected representative – who left Labour in July – added that there was still a “harmful environment” among certain members of Your Party, which had caused “pressure, coercion and defamation” and “acts of deliberate sabotage”.

Absence and Group Conflicts

Strains escalated significantly around lunchtime when it emerged Sultana would boycott the initial sessions of the conference, in solidarity with prospective attendees who had been denied entry from the event due to connections to other progressive movements – particularly the the SWP. Her representative described this as a “targeted purge”, stating: “We need to establish a party that is inclusive of all progressives.”

Corbyn's associates – who incorrectly claimed on Saturday morning that the the group was officially recognized by the regulatory body – were incensed, accusing Sultana of trying to create a “secondary event”. They believe permitting dual affiliations would create chaos and heighten group conflicts which already seems to have hampered the new party.

Concerning the standing of the Socialist Workers party, one associate said: “It might not be formally recognized by the regulatory body but it is nonetheless a political group. The clue is in the name.”

Frustration Among Attendees

A significant number of participants were annoyed that Saturday’s activities descended into factionalism when they would have preferred to address important topics such as the economic pressures and border controls, as well as planning for next year’s local elections.

Your Party is still considering if it will present its own contenders or support independent socialists and some members believe the party will have failed if it is not listed for election as an alternative to Labour.

Hope for The Second Day

The outcome is uncertain if the event can be recovered on Sunday, when the decisions of crucial polls – such as the final designation and organizational system – will be declared. Sultana plans to attend and speak to the crowd, which has reassured those who still wish for unity.

However many participants remained disheartened as they departed of the meeting space into a wet evening in Liverpool on Saturday. Maybe the mood of the day was captured by a single delegate, who said: “My substantial beverage is transforming into a entire container.”