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As the notion of a fresh socialist party fronted by the former Labour leader and Zarah Sultana was originally suggested in the summer, it attracted huge support that countless individuals expressed an interest in participating.

Despite being almost immediately plagued by disputes – its co-founders clashed fiercely over its founding structure and financial approach – many hoped this weekend's first major event would represent a fresh start.

Concerning First Day

Many of the 2,500 delegates are former Labour members, unhappy about the agenda of the present administration and seeking a new party as they worry about the growing influence of the rival party.

When arrangements for the party's launch event were finalised, Sultana and Corbyn looked to have made amends. Speaking at a leftwing festival in Manchester last month, Sultana humorously paralleled the duo to the famous musical siblings, stating: “Let me assure you the project is moving forward.”

However when the entrances to the meeting hall in Liverpool welcomed attendees on Saturday morning, Sultana was conspicuously absent. As Corbyn spoke to kick off the event, she was sipping hot chocolate in a coffee shop about a mile from the conference site.

Governance Division

The situation revealed there was little agreement on how the party should be led. Corbyn informed the press he favoured a conventional single-leader system, with a single individual voted into power, and indicated he’d be likely to run if members chose this approach.

In contrast, in an conversation, Sultana said she was supporting a shared governance model, with key decisions being taken by lay members – those not presently working as elected officials. She noted that she did not think parties should be controlled by “sole personalities”. She did, however, suggest she would be prepared to run against Corbyn if there was a contest for a individual head.

Negative Atmosphere

Although Sultana insisted she and the previous leader were getting on “really well” – they had, she said, talked about how they desired the conference to be “an uplifting and happy event where members gain confidence” – she was highly critical about some of his allies and Your Party officials whom she thinks are briefing against her. She refused to provide names, but it is understood that the relationship between her supporters and Corbyn’s previous top advisor Karie Murphy are particularly fraught.

The elected representative – who abandoned Labour in July – further stated that there was still a “negative atmosphere” among others in Your Party, which had resulted in “pressure, coercion and defamation” and “acts of deliberate sabotage”.

Absence and Factionalism

Tensions came to a head around midday when it was revealed Sultana would not attend the initial sessions of the conference, in support for prospective attendees who had been refused access from the event due to membership in other leftwing groups – notably the the SWP. Her representative called this a “political persecution”, adding: “It is essential to create a party that welcomes all socialists.”

Allies of Corbyn – who incorrectly claimed on Saturday morning that the the group was registered with the regulatory body – were furious, claiming Sultana was attempting to stage a “distraction”. They feel permitting dual affiliations would lead to problems and increase the factionalism which already seems to have hampered the new party.

On the status of the the political group, one supporter of Corbyn said: “Even if it is not formally recognized by the Electoral Commission but it is clearly an organization. Its title indicates its nature.”

Disappointment Among Participants

A significant number of participants were annoyed that Saturday’s events became dominated by factionalism when they would have preferred to focus on key issues such as the economic pressures and border controls, as well as strategising for next year’s regional polls.

Your Party is has not determined if it will field its own candidates or back socialist independents and some members think the party will have not succeeded if it is not available as a choice as an replacement for Labour.

Hope for Sunday

The result is unclear if proceedings can be recovered on Sunday, when the outcomes of crucial polls – such as the party’s permanent name and leadership structure – will be revealed. Sultana plans to attend and give a speech, which has comforted those who still desire cohesion.

However the majority of attendees remained disheartened as they shuffled out of the meeting space into a wet evening in Liverpool on Saturday. Maybe the mood of the day was summed up by a single delegate, who said: “My substantial beverage is turning into a bottle.”