More than a quarter of Labour members would consider defecting to Jeremy Corbyn's new left-wing party, according to a major poll that signals significant internal threats to Keir Starmer's leadership. The Survation research found 28% of Labour members would consider leaving for the outfit being established by the former party leader.
Corbyn and fellow ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana announced their new venture last month, initially named "Your Party". The former Labour leader claims 700,000 people have already signed up to the movement ahead of an inaugural conference planned for later this year.
Labour members demand leftward shift
The poll reveals deep dissatisfaction with Starmer's direction, with 59% of Labour members believing the party should move to the left in response to Corbyn's challenge. More than a third thought Labour should move "further and faster" on its current agenda, while only 2% called for a rightward shift.
Corbyn welcomed the findings, telling The Times: "For too long, people have been denied a real political choice. Not any more: 700,000 people have already signed up to build a real alternative to inequality, poverty and war."
Vote-splitting fears emerge
Half of Labour members polled expressed concerns that Corbyn's party would split the vote and increase chances of a Conservative or Reform UK government at the next election. Only 3% believed "Your Party" could win enough votes to form its own government.
However, according to the Express, veteran MP Diane Abbott has privately advised Corbyn against forming the new party, warning about the challenges posed by Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system.
Membership decline context
The threat comes as Labour faces broader membership challenges, with the Express reporting the party has lost 200,000 members over five years, including a 10% decline of 37,215 members last year alone. The defection potential adds pressure to an already shrinking membership base.
Damian Lyons Lowe, chief executive of Survation, cautioned that while "consideration" is softer than outright support, the findings reflect "residual sympathy for Jeremy Corbyn and frustration over his departure from Labour".
Electoral viability questions
Lowe warned that creating a viable new party remains "formidable", particularly given policy differences among founding MPs beyond their shared stance on Gaza. He suggested Labour's chances of a second term depend on retaining progressive voters in key constituencies where contests are between Labour and Conservative or Reform candidates.
The poll surveyed 1,021 LabourList readers who identified as Labour Party members between 5-9 August.
Sources used: "Daily Mail", "Express", "The Times", "Survation"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.