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If, as it stands, there are 650,000 people who have voting rights to name and determine the initial policies then where on earth are they going to hold conference to give them an opportunity to debate and make policy? Im not sure even zoom or Teams can cope with that many people
Come on - obviously no-one is suggesting that every member should simultaneously gather and yell out their opinions. The UK isn't some tiny Swiss canton. There are many criticisms to make but let's not invent stuff to slag off.
If, as it stands, there are 650,000 people who have voting rights to name and determine the initial policies then where on earth are they going to hold conference to give them an opportunity to debate and make policy? Im not sure even zoom or Teams can cope with that many people
Come on - obviously no-one is suggesting that every member should simultaneously gather and yell out their opinions. The UK isn't some tiny Swiss canton. There are many criticisms to make but let's not invent stuff to slag off.
Earlier in this thread many were extolling the virtue of everyone who registered been entitled to get involved in naming the party and setting policy. I’m just asking a simple question as to how that is going to work. Just backing down and now saying that’s not what was suggested is none sense
I’m just asking a simple question as to how that is going to work.
What, this question?
where on earth are they going to hold conference to give them an opportunity to debate and make policy?
You honestly don't know how a political party can organise a conference to debate and make policy?
I’m just asking a simple question as to how that is going to work.
The British colonies in North America were agricultural economies where only wealthier white men made up the (recognised) polity, so a relatively small group of people. But even they didn't expect to meet all in the same place at the same time on the same day to form basic policy!
You're criticising them for not doing something that no-one in Your Party proposed and no reasonable person would expect them to do.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration/how-did-it-happen
They could do it via Zoom.
It'd be like that Handforth council meeting, but with more sandals and lentils.
Well that didn't take long ! 😂
It should perhaps be pointed out that Brussels Signal was founded by a former strategist of Viktor Orban, the far-right leader of Hungary and Benjamin Netanyahu's closest European chum.
In fact Viktor Orban is so close to the far-right genocidal government in Israel that he pulled Hungary out of the International Criminal Court, specifically because the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu on war crime charges (presumably Brussels Signal would suggest that the ICC are anti-semitic)
I guess that accusations of anti-semitism will be a central feature of the right-wing attacks on the new party. I am not sure if it is because they don't understand the sheer futility of still pushing that especially under the present conditions, or because they simply haven't got anything else.
I suspect that it is a bit of both.
And on a side note I think Zahra Sultana is absolutely spot-on in criticising Corbyn's capitulation over the fake anti-semitism allegations, he was too spineless to stand up to the zionist bullies.
No it won't be like the Labour Party where a Stalinist leadership clique has an iron grip and won't tolerate any dissent.
Don't expect suspensions, explosions, direct interference from the centre over local party structures, and purges, in a party committed to democracy. Instead expect debate to be encouraged, as was once the case in the Labour Party.
I can't remember the last time I agreed more with an article :
https://www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/08/18/zarah-sultana-new-left-review/
Lots of extremely valid points but this in particular hit me :
In the case of Corbynism, the mythology tends to airbrush out the strategic errors and faffing which helped sink the ship, resulting in a landslide Tory victory. Instead, its dispirited supporters focused on the behaviour of the press, the establishment, the Israel lobby, the Labour PLP, and bureaucracy.
I remember soon after the 2019 general election John O'Donnell coming to speak in Croydon and his only explanation for defeat appeared to be that it was due to the nasty right-wing press and some bollocks about Facebook.
I remembering thinking to myself how delusionary the Labour left were and how they had appeared to have learnt absolutely nothing from defeat.
And tbh people like Corbyn still are imo. If it hadn't been for Starmer Corbyn would be currently sitting on the Labour backbenches doing **** all,.apart making all the right but pointless noises
I don't really know Zahra Sultana but if that article is a fair assessment of her and the likely direction that the new party will take then I am massively hopeful.
So the new party is already turning inward and indulging in parochial infighting?
Great look.
It is certainly a better, and more useful look, than an echo chamber, that's for sure.
Yes, hopefully the new party will be a vehicle for an extensive range of opinions which will be encouraged, respected, and allowed at every level.
If that's not for you I would suggest trying Reform or Labour, they seem very united behind their leaders. Especially Labour whose leader is currently taking them down the pan and there isn't a whimper of disapproval from within the tightly disciplined party.
Yes, hopefully the new party will be a vehicle for an extensive range of opinions which will be encouraged, respected, and allowed at every level.
Well in that case it is sunk. Three word slogans are what do the biz with the electorate in its current state.
I wish it wasn't like this, but my wishes don't count for anything.
Well in that case it is sunk. Three word slogans are what do the biz with the electorate in its current state.
I wish it wasn't like this, but my wishes don't count for anything.
Actually, I think there is more and more recognition of this and there are finally parties willing to name who the real problem are for society. From the linked article:
Zarah Sultana has many qualities. One of those is thatshe can do whatthe political right do so effectively: name the enemy. For the right, it is migrants, refugees, trans people, the nanny state, wokeness, etc.
For the left, it starts with billionaires and their personal media empires. That is to say you must campaign around the root of the problem. The root of the problem, if you’re any kind of socialist at all, is capitalism and class.
I guess the three word slogan would be, 'Eat the rich'.
An excellent slogan! Croydon is having its first inaugural party meeting this evening, I might suggest that as a three-word slogan 🙃
Edit : For clarity I haven't signed up for the new party, I will attending this evening purely to find out more and gauge the feasibility of the party locally. I suspect many others will be there for similar reasons.
Croydon is having its first inaugural party meeting this evening
Well, make sure you're out by 8pm, OK?
The Croydon Players have the hall booked straight after - they've chosen "Waiting For Godot" this autumn and they're struggling to get to grips with it.
And remember: those biscuits have got to make it around everyone...
Politics can be a thankless and soul-destroying business so it is great when the opportunity to laugh at your opponent's misfortune arises.
So well done Danny for not missing an opportunity.
The problem for centrists however is the issue of who will have the last laugh ?
A week before last year's general election pollsters were confidently predicting that Labour would comfortably win the Islington North seat however in the end it was a easy win for smirking Jeremy Corbyn.
No one can be certain what will happen at the next general election of course but it looks more than likely that the current Labour Health Secretary, and future Labour leader hopeful, Wes Streeting, will easily lose his seat to the Sultana-Corbyn party.
There is even a real possibility that Sir Keir Starmer himself might lose his parliamentary seat to the Sultana-Corbyn party. A very close (Jewish) ally of Corbyn slashed Starmer majority by half in last July's general election.
And the very latest opinion poll puts Labour on level pegging with the Tories at 19%, that's even before the Sultana-Corbyn party appears on pollsters question sheet. So if is actually possible that Labour could end up behind the Tories and in third place, not even qualifying to be the official UK opposition!
Oh yes, UK politics could end up being very funny indeed ! 😂
And if you believe those polls we are heading to a farage led government with a huge majority so no one else will matter.
Yes, hopefully the new party will be a vehicle for an extensive range of opinions which will be encouraged, respected, and allowed at every level.
I’m sure you do but at some point you have to have a manifesto that everyone campaigns on so you all know what to ignore in power. At some point all these different opinions have to coalesce around an electable vision and set of policies
In the case of Corbynism, the mythology tends to airbrush out the strategic errors and faffing which helped sink the ship, resulting in a landslide Tory victory. Instead, its dispirited supporters focused on the behaviour of the press, the establishment, the Israel lobby, the Labour PLP, and bureaucracy.
Instead of the incompetence of the man leading the campaign and asking to become prime minister. Can’t have hero Corbyn held accountable for his leadership. If he couldn’t beat Boris the clown then he is never going to beat a serious candidate
The problem for centrists however is the issue of who will have the last laugh ?
Reform will.
It will particularly neat if arch Brexiteer Corbyn splitting the non-Reform/non-Tory vote was the cause too.
🙄
The problem for centrists however is the issue of who will have the last laugh ?
Reform will.
Well Sir Keir Starmer effectively made Reform UK electable, long before any news of a possible Sultana-Corbyn party, so you are probably right about that.
And of course Labour currently polling less than 20% has nothing at all to do with either Zahra Sultana or Jeremy Corbyn, Sir Keir Starmer managed to do that all by himself. With his pathetic attempts to mimic Enoch Powell and Nigel Farage playing no small part.
Nigel Farage must be pissing himself!
And if you believe those polls we are heading to a farage led government with a huge majority so no one else will matter.
I don't what polls you are referring to but only one MRP poll, which are the only polls that provide reasonable accurate seat predictions, has suggested a Reform government majority, all other MRP polls since last year's general election have predicted a hung parliament.
Which of course has the potential, depending on how other parties do, of giving the Sultana-Corbyn party significant influence over the next government.
After all look how influential the LibDems were over government policy between 2010-15 despite only having 9% of the seats in the House of Commons.
The problem for centrists however is the issue of who will have the last laugh ?
Reform will.
Well Sir Keir Starmer effectively made Reform UK electable, long before any news of a possible Sultana-Corbyn party, so you are probably right about that.
Everything is Starmer’s fault… including anything that happens in 4 years time… nothing is ever down to Corbyn, under any circumstances.
After all look how influential the LibDems were over government policy between 2010-15 despite only having 9% of the seats in the House of Commons.
Sarcasm, or not? I can’t tell.
Yes, but putting all that other stuff aside...
Will it just be the one pack of Digestives that is required - or will Jeremy have to break out the emergency pack?
No custard creams, obviously, no decadence here.
Everything is Starmer’s fault… including anything that happens in 4 years time… nothing is ever down to Corbyn, under any circumstances.
Oh how predictable, and bang on cue! 😂
Jeremy Corbyn is leader of the Labour Party and Boris Johnson wins a landslide victory...... it's all Corbyn's fault !
Sir Keir Starmer is leader of the Labour Party and Reform UK lead every single opinion poll since mid-April, and Nigel Farage looks increasingly likely to become Prime Minister in 4 years time, but don't blame Starmer, it's not his fault..... it's still Corbyn's fault!! 🤣
Btw I don't think that everything Keir Starmer does has bad consequences, far from it, as I have repeatedly said if it hadn't been for Starmer Corbyn would be currently sitting on the Labour back benches and there would not be any talk of the need for a new left-wing social democratic party.
And with right-wing authoritarian stunts such as the Palestine Action farce Starmer is practically driving people into the arms of the new Sultana-Corbyn party.
I actually feel quite indebted to Starmer, he has completely shaken up UK politics in a way I never thought possible by clearly showing that the Labour Party has gone well beyond its use by date. Thank you so much 😊
Edit : Btw since you raised the question plenty of things are Corbyn's fault. But they don't include how Sir Keir Starmer has very clearly ****ed up and how he is now paving the way for Nigel Farage to become Prime Minister in 4 years time by trying to ape him.
It really shouldn't be difficult for even the biggest Starmer fan to be seriously doubting what he has done to the Labour party in just over 12 months.
Trying to pick the bones out of it is futile.
If you're okay with what's he's done then basically you were willing to accept anything just because it was Starmer.
Yes, but putting all that other stuff aside...Will it just be the one pack of Digestives that is required - or will Jeremy have to break out the emergency pack? No custard creams, obviously, no decadence here.
I bet the fellas at the golf club love this banter.
Corbyn would be currently sitting on the Labour back benches and there would not be any talk of the need for a new left-wing social democratic party
So… is this party all about Corbyn* extending his time in politics, or not?
[ *I appreciate his is not the only ego involved ]
Zero. They had zero influence
Well LibDems such as Nick Clegg, Vince Cable, and Danny Alexander, certainly made a very powerful case for austerity and how the consequences of the global credit crisis was all the previous Labour government's fault.
But well done for trying to exonerate the LibDems for any responsibility for UK government policies between 2010-15 TJ, I never had you down as a LibDemer.
So… is this party all about Corbyn* extending his time in politics, or not?
I wouldn't have thought so. Jeremy Corbyn's political career seems quite secure without the need to form any new party.
As I said previously Jeremy Corbyn defied expectations and easily defeated Starmer's man at the last general election. There is absolutely no reason to assume that he wouldn't be able to repeat that achievement at the next general election if he so wishes to.
Especially as Labour are very likely to be considerably less popular at the next general election than they were at the last one.
The lib dems kept the tories in power but had zero influence over tory policy despite their claims
The LibDems despite only having 9% of the seats in the Commons were in a position to bring down the Tory-led government at anytime they wanted. This put them in an enormously powerful position despite the relatively small number of MPs.
The idea that minor parties in coalition governments have no influence over policy is nonsense, plenty of Nick Cleggs policies formed part of the coalition government's programme.
You might be confusing the fact that apart from a few obvious policy differences, such as on green issues and the AV referendum, there were no serious differences between Nick Clegg and David Cameron. A point which Nick Clegg himself made during a moment of unguarded honesty:
If the LibDem influence on the coalition government wasn't obvious it was because very little indeed distinguished them from the Tories.
Relating that to the topic of this thread there is no obvious reason at all to assume that Zahra Sultana, for example, would as a cabinet minister in a rainbow coalition government behave in exactly the same way a Nick Clegg and his Tory-enabling colleagues behaved during the 2010-15 coalition years.
Almost all the MRP polls of the last year predict hung parliaments and that looks the increasingly likely outcome of the next general election.
There is no realistic chance of a Labour majority government, a fact which is totally unconnected to whether a Sultana-Corbyn party exists or not.
I suggest you see the situation from this new reality perspective 💡
I bet the fellas at the golf club love this banter.
I can't afford golf, so I have to make do with actually riding a mountain bike 2-3 times a week.
So… is this party all about Corbyn* extending his time in politics, or not?
[ *I appreciate his is not the only ego involved ]
Corbyn remains in politics as he is there for what he believes in, a big part of that being a more equal society. As that has been going in the wrong direction then he continues to pursue it. At 76 years old I am not sure he would want to give up until he really has to after devoting his life to it and I don't think he is selfishly just in it for the salary/continued money
I have never understood the hatred towards him.
Well Sir Keir Starmer effectively made Reform UK electable,
I think it’s the failure of the Tory party that is making reform electable. He is appealing to the tories who just lost badly saying they were too soft.
Jeremy Corbyn is leader of the Labour Party and Boris Johnson wins a landslide victory...... it's all Corbyn's fault !
Sir Keir Starmer is leader of the Labour Party and Reform UK lead every single opinion poll since mid-April, and Nigel Farage looks increasingly likely to become Prime Minister in 4 years time,
It was Corbyn’s fault. It will be Starmers fault when he looses a general election. That’s how politics works.
my question is why does Corbyn want to come out of the back bench shadows to do what he can to help starmer loose. Does he prefer the idea of a farage led government than a starmer led one. Nobody is realistically thinking he will take votes from anyone but the labour party
Starmer is going to lose with or without Corbyn. Why would Corbyn care about a Labour party that is now indistinguishable from the Tory party losing.
He sees the need for change more than ever which is what is driving him
Nobody is realistically thinking he will take votes from anyone but the labour party
Plenty of people do. It is only lazy people who can only handle simplistic conclusions that struggle with any other conclusion.
Apart from providing a conduit for disillusioned voters it might help to tackle the growing disconnection which is occurring between voters and political parties which is a feature of our current times. It is not some weird unexplained phenomena that turnout at the last general election a year ago was so depressingly low.
Nobody is realistically thinking he will take votes from anyone but the labour party
At this point its more likely to be taking votes from the Greens
https://bsky.app/profile/yougov.co.uk/post/3lvas2qsc222l
https://bsky.app/profile/yougov.co.uk/post/3ltjkyo3hls2h
many of the farther left labour voters are polling green atm so theres less left in the labore rump for corbyn to take
The lib dems kept the tories in power but had zero influence over tory policy despite their claims
Kind of agree with you TJ but I'd go further and say that several key Lib Dems turned true blue once they got a seat at the big table. Anyone remember Danny Alexander's overly enthusiastic fawning over Gideon after one of his nasty little speeches. Was surprised that he didn't just drop to his knees in front of him right there. Despicable ****ers.
Danny Alexander was simply backing a LibDem 2010 election manifesto pledge to cut the deficit with £15bn of savings in government spending.
Austerity was not a concession which the LibDems made to form a coalition government with the Tories, it was a pledge which the LibDems made before the general election result was even known.
At this point its more likely to be taking votes from the Greens
Yup. Even if you compare to how people voted at the last general election, Corbyn's party will take votes from Labour and the Green Party, just when the Greens finally had a base of MPs to try and build from at the next election. The likely result is Reform taking loads of Northern Labour seats (even more than looks likely to happen anyway) and the Tories taking most of the Green seats (rather than them winning more seats off Labour and the Tories) and a fair chunk of Southern LibDem seats, with a handful of urban seats going to the new party in a parliament dominated by Reform and Conservative MPs.
Danny Alexander was simply backing a LibDem 2010 election manifesto pledge to cut the deficit with £15bn of savings in government spending.
Please do not condone or defend that snake. There are ways to control government spending. Austerity, which hits the most vulnerable, is not one of them.
Kind of agree with you TJ but I'd go further and say that several key Lib Dems turned true blue once they got a seat at the big table.
Pretty much this.
First time I ever voted was for the Lib Dems in the first Scottish Parliament election on the grounds that they were campaigning heavily on scrapping tuition fees in Scotland. That pledge took all of 16 hours of the results being announced to be abandoned since Labour were offering them a seat at the table.
Small parties can have an incredible influence if they hold the balance of power. Take a look at the DUP's handling of Theresa May for example.
The problem is they have to be willing to topple the government to have any effect. If the LibDems have a seat at the table they will simply never vote to topple the government and so they always have been and always will be entirely pointless.