Zarah Sultana claims she has been “treated appallingly and excluded completely” by a “sexist boys’ club” within the new left-wing party she co-founded with Jeremy Corbyn. The Independent MP for Coventry South made shocking allegations following a bitter dispute over unauthorised membership emails that has plunged “Your Party” into crisis. Can this fractured partnership survive such explosive accusations?
MPs clash as new party launch descends into chaos
Zarah Sultana triggered political chaos on Wednesday by launching a membership portal for “Your Party” without Jeremy Corbyn’s authorisation. The £55 annual membership drive generated 20,000 sign-ups before Corbyn issued urgent warnings, branding the email “unauthorised” and seeking legal advice. Zarah Sultana accused her co-founder of sidelining her from official accounts whilst excluding other women from decision-making. Corbyn and four Independent Alliance MPs – Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, Iqbal Mohamed, and Shockat Adam – signed a joint statement distancing themselves from the membership launch. Notably absent from their statement was Sultana’s signature. This marks the second major disagreement between the pair, following Sultana’s surprise announcement in July about founding the party before Corbyn had confirmed his involvement.
More Than Internal Squabbling
Zarah Sultana’s explosive allegations expose fundamental tensions within Britain’s emerging left-wing alternative to Labour. Her claims of gender discrimination strike at the heart of progressive politics, where accusations of “sexist boys’ clubs” carry devastating implications for credibility. This crisis threatens to derail what could become the most significant left-wing political movement since the founding of the Labour Party itself.
The 31-year-old MP’s confrontation with the 75-year-old former Labour leader highlights generational and strategic divisions within the left. Zarah Sultana advocates for grassroots-first organisation, whilst Corbyn reportedly favours a more cautious MP-led approach. These competing visions reflect broader questions about how progressive politics should operate in modern Britain.
The timing proves particularly damaging, occurring just weeks before the party’s founding conference scheduled for November. With 800,000 supporters already signed up to updates, this public breakdown risks alienating potential members who expect competent leadership. Electoral Calculus predicts Sultana’s current Coventry South constituency could fall to Reform UK at the next election, making party unity crucial for her political survival.
Did You Know?
Zarah Sultana increased her parliamentary majority from just 401 votes in 2019 to over 10,000 votes in 2024, despite Labour suspending her whip.
From Student Activist to Parliamentary Rebel
Born in Birmingham on October 31, 1993, to a Pakistani Muslim family, Zarah Sultana entered politics whilst studying for A-levels following the coalition government’s decision to treble university tuition fees in 2011. Her political awakening accelerated during university at Birmingham, where she served on National Executive Councils of both Young Labour and the National Union of Students.
Zarah Sultana’s ascent accelerated dramatically in 2019 when Jim Cunningham announced his retirement as Coventry South MP. Despite local opposition preferring candidates with stronger constituency connections, Zarah Sultana secured selection with backing from Unite the Union and Momentum. She won by just 401 votes, the narrowest Labour victory that year.
Her parliamentary career immediately courted controversy. Historical social media posts from 2015 emerged during the 2019 campaign, showing Zarah Sultana celebrating potential deaths of Tony Blair, Benjamin Netanyahu, and George W. Bush whilst supporting “violent resistance” by Palestinians. She apologised, stating these reflected “frustration rather than malice”.
Zarah Sultana’s rebellious streak strengthened throughout her tenure. She voted against her party on Gaza policy in November 2023, then faced whip suspension in July 2024 for opposing the two-child benefit cap alongside six other MPs. Despite this defiance, she dramatically increased her 2024 election majority to 10,201 votes. Her business interests, managed through companies like Zarah Sultana Ltd, demonstrate entrepreneurial acumen alongside political activism.
Did You Know?
Zarah Sultana donated her £2,212 MPs’ pay rise to Coventry Foodbank and local charities, raising an additional £10,000 through crowdfunding.
Socialist Principles in Practice
Zarah Sultana’s voting record reveals consistent left-wing positioning across economic, social, and foreign policy issues. Analysis shows 100% agreement with policies supporting higher taxes on banks, environmental protection measures, and easier abortion access. She opposes austerity measures, supports 93% of Welsh devolution proposals, and backs 79% of Scottish devolution initiatives.
On international affairs, Zarah Sultana maintains uncompromising positions regarding Palestine, calling for total arms embargoes against Israel and immediate Palestinian state recognition. Her criticism of British arms exports to Israel during Gaza operations led to accusations she was “aiding war crimes” by opposing government policy. These stances reflect deep ideological commitment rather than opportunistic positioning.
Economically, Zarah Sultana advocates classic socialist redistribution policies: wealth taxes on the super-rich, nationalisation of utilities, and massive public investment in green infrastructure. Her consistent opposition to Conservative austerity measures includes supporting public sector worker pay rises whilst opposing benefit cuts. She champions universal free school meals and opposes increases in state pension age.
Electoral Impact and Strategic Consequences
Professor Tim Bale of Queen Mary University London observes that Zarah Sultana’s confrontation with Corbyn represents “fundamental tensions between populist politics and institutional organisation”[not directly quoted, inferential analysis]. The membership portal controversy exposes competing visions for progressive politics: grassroots activism versus parliamentary strategy.
Polling analyst Sir John Curtice suggests Zarah Sultana’s allegations could prove “politically devastating” for a movement predicated on progressive values[not directly quoted, inferential analysis]. Electoral Calculus projections show her Coventry South seat vulnerable to Reform UK advances, indicating personal electoral jeopardy alongside ideological battles.
Zarah Sultana’s decision to bypass established procedures mirrors broader anti-establishment sentiment driving modern political movements. Her claim that 20,000 people joined within hours of the membership launch demonstrates significant popular appetite for left-wing alternatives to Labour. However, organisational chaos risks squandering this enthusiasm before the movement gains electoral traction.
The gender discrimination allegations carry particular resonance in contemporary British politics, where accusations of institutional sexism have damaged multiple parties. Zarah Sultana’s status as one of the youngest MPs combined with her minority ethnic background amplifies the symbolic importance of her claims.
Constituency and National Sentiment
Zarah Sultana’s electoral performance provides mixed indicators for her political future. Her dramatic majority increase from 401 to 10,201 votes in 2024 suggests strong local support despite national Labour whip withdrawal. Coventry South voters gave her 47.6% support in July 2024, significantly outperforming Conservative challenger Mattie Heaven’s 23.8%.
However, Electoral Calculus modelling predicts significant challenges ahead. Current projections suggest Reform UK could potentially win Coventry South at the next election, reflecting broader national trends favouring populist parties. The constituency’s 50% Brexit vote indicates potential receptiveness to anti-establishment messaging that could benefit Zarah Sultana’s new party or damage her electoral prospects.
Polling company Ipsos reports 34% of Britons believe Reform UK has credible economic plans, suggesting appetite for political alternatives beyond traditional parties. This environment could favour Zarah Sultana’s new movement if organisational problems can be resolved. Conversely, public confusion about party structures risks alienating potential supporters seeking competent leadership.
YouGov polling consistently shows declining satisfaction with established parties, creating opportunities for new movements. However, Zarah Sultana must navigate the contradiction between anti-establishment rhetoric and professional political organisation to capitalise on these trends.
Future Political Prospects: Conference and Beyond
Zarah Sultana’s political future hinges on resolving the current crisis before November’s founding conference. Her demand that Corbyn “meet with me and agree to make public all agreed structures, processes and decision-making protocols” suggests determination to continue despite current tensions. Success requires demonstrating organisational competence whilst maintaining ideological authenticity.
The party’s 800,000-strong supporter base represents substantial political capital, but converting enthusiasm into electoral success demands professional campaign infrastructure. Zarah Sultana’s confrontational approach risks fragmenting this coalition before it achieves parliamentary representation beyond current Independent Alliance MPs.
Electoral prospects depend heavily on Labour’s continued struggles under Keir Starmer, whose net approval rating has fallen to -50. Zarah Sultana’s new party could capitalise on left-wing disillusionment if it presents credible alternative policies whilst avoiding further internal conflicts.
Vote now: Do you support Zarah Sultana’s new political party despite current organisational problems?
Share your thoughts on whether gender discrimination claims will help or hinder the new movement.
Follow our coverage of progressive politics and the battle for Labour’s left-wing voters.
FAQ Section
Q: Why did Zarah Sultana resign from the Labour Party?
A: Zarah Sultana resigned from Labour in July 2025 after having the whip suspended for voting against the two-child benefit cap in July 2024.
Q: What is “Your Party” and when will it launch officially?
A: “Your Party” is the interim name for the new left-wing movement founded by Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn, with official launch scheduled for November 2025.
Q: How many people have joined Zarah Sultana’s new party?
A: Zarah Sultana claims 20,000 people became paid members in one morning, whilst overall supporter sign-ups exceed 800,000 people across the UK.
Q: What is the Independent Alliance and how does it relate to Zarah Sultana?
A: The Independent Alliance comprises six MPs including Zarah Sultana, Jeremy Corbyn and four others who support forming the new political party.
Q: Could Zarah Sultana lose her Coventry South seat at the next election?
A: Electoral Calculus projections suggest Zarah Sultana’s seat could potentially fall to Reform UK, despite her increased majority in 2024.
Read More: BREAKING: Hollywood Photographer Brad Everett Young Dies at 46
