LONDON – A nascent left-wing political party in the United Kingdom, co-founded by high-profile political figure and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, is facing a severe internal crisis following the resignation of a second Member of Parliament in just one week. The departures expose deep-seated turmoil over finances, leadership, and ideology ahead of the party's inaugural conference.

On Friday, 21 November 2025, Iqbal Mohamed, the independent MP for Dewsbury and Batley, announced his departure from 'Your Party', citing “many false allegations and smears” against himself and others. In a statement released on the social media platform X, Mohamed expressed his disappointment but did not provide specific details regarding the allegations.

His resignation follows that of Adnan Hussain, the MP for Blackburn, who quit the week prior on Friday, 14 November 2025. Hussain attributed his decision to “persistent infighting, factional competition and a struggle for power” which he said had created a “toxic, exclusionary and deeply disheartening” environment. Hussain also raised concerns about what he described as “veiled prejudice” against Muslim men within the party's leadership circles.

A Project Mired in Conflict

Launched in July 2025 by Corbyn and fellow independent MP Zarah Sultana, 'Your Party' aimed to create a new political force to the left of the established Labour Party. The project, which is supported by a group of independent MPs known as the Independent Alliance, was intended to harness grassroots energy and challenge the UK's dominant two-party system. However, its short history has been defined by public disagreements between its two most prominent figures, Corbyn and Sultana.

A central point of contention has been the control of approximately £850,000 in donations from supporters. The funds were held in a company that, following the resignation of its initial directors, came under the sole control of Sultana. A public statement signed by Corbyn, Mohamed, and Hussain (before their departures), among others, accused Sultana of an “unnecessary delay” in transferring the full amount to the party, a move that allies of Sultana claimed was intended to undermine her. This financial dispute has severely hampered preparations for the party's founding conference, scheduled for the end of November in Liverpool.

Global Lessons on Political Fragility

While the turmoil within 'Your Party' is rooted in the specifics of UK politics, the themes of its collapse resonate globally, including in Kenya. The challenges of forging and maintaining political unity, ensuring transparent financial governance, and managing personality-driven power struggles are universal hurdles for new and established parties alike.

The case of 'Your Party' serves as a stark reminder that a high-profile leader and initial public enthusiasm are insufficient to guarantee success. Jeremy Corbyn, who led the UK's main opposition party from 2015 to 2020, brought significant name recognition and a dedicated following to the project. Yet, even his political stature could not prevent the internal fractures. The party's struggles highlight the critical importance of robust internal structures, clear governance protocols, and a unified ideological vision from the outset—lessons highly relevant to Kenya's fluid political environment, where alliances are often formed and broken with regularity.

Furthermore, the ideological clashes within the group, particularly around socially conservative versus progressive views, underscore the difficulty of building a broad-based coalition. Reports indicate that comments from Sultana suggesting there was no room for “socially conservative views” in the party alienated some members, contributing to the current crisis.

With its founding conference just over a week away, the departure of two of its founding MPs has cast serious doubt on the viability of 'Your Party'. The project, once seen as a promising new force on the British left, now stands as a cautionary tale about the immense challenges of disrupting an established political order and the internal discipline required to build a lasting movement.