Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed "discussions are ongoing" after Zarah Sultana announced she was quitting Labour to co-lead the founding of a new political party with the former Labour leader. The independent Islington North MP congratulated the Coventry South MP on her "principled decision" to leave Sir Keir Starmer's party.
In a statement on X, Corbyn declared that "real change is coming" and criticised the current Labour Government's performance one year after the election. He argued that the Government "has refused to deliver the change people expected and deserved" and insisted that "poverty, inequality and war are not inevitable".
New party foundations taking shape
The former Labour Party leader said the "democratic foundations of a new kind of political party will soon take shape" and expressed excitement about working "alongside all communities to fight for the future people deserve". Corbyn claimed their new venture would create "something that is desperately missing from our broken political system: hope".
Sultana, who had the Labour whip suspended last year, announced on Thursday night that she was quitting Starmer's party. The Coventry South MP confirmed she would "co-lead the founding of a new party" with Corbyn, marking a significant development in the ongoing tensions within the Labour movement.
Alternative to broken system promised
Corbyn praised Sultana's decision and said he was "delighted that she will help us build a real alternative" to the current political landscape. The independent MP argued that "our country needs to change direction, now" as he outlined his vision for the new political venture.
The announcement represents the latest challenge to Starmer's leadership from the party's left wing, with both politicians having previously clashed with the current Labour leadership over various policy positions.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
