Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed plans to launch a new political party, a move that could further destabilize Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s struggling Labour government. Corbyn, expelled from Labour over his handling of antisemitism allegations, is now positioning himself to split the leftist vote with a new far-left platform.
The announcement followed the defection of MP Zarah Sultana, who claimed she would co-lead the new party. Corbyn, however, has not formally confirmed her leadership status. In his public statement, Corbyn criticized the current Labour government for failing to deliver meaningful change and vowed to establish a new movement to restore “hope” in British politics.
Key figures from Corbyn’s tenure, including Diane Abbott and John McDonnell, have yet to join the venture, signaling a potential divide within the far-left faction. Still, the impact of Corbyn’s breakaway movement is expected to be significant. Polling indicates that the new party could immediately gain around 10 percent support, siphoning off voters from Labour, the Greens, and the Scottish Nationalist Party.
The new movement is expected to resonate with young voters and Muslim communities disillusioned with Labour’s current leadership. Both groups have shown signs of abandoning the party in recent elections, particularly over Labour’s stance on Gaza. Corbyn, who returned to Parliament as an independent, remains influential among these constituencies.
Labour’s weakening position comes as Reform UK, led by populist Nigel Farage, continues to surge. Reform party spokesman Zia Yusuf highlighted Corbyn’s political strength compared to Starmer and predicted that Corbyn’s new party could cost Labour heavily in the 2029 general election. With Labour hemorrhaging support from both flanks, Reform UK could be positioned for significant gains.
The unfolding political shift may ultimately benefit the right, as left-wing votes splinter and the conservative Reform party consolidates its position.
