Corbyn and Sultana in public spat over ‘Your Party’ membership system

Zarah Sultana has claimed she has been subjected to a “sexist boys’ club”, as the fledgling political party she and Jeremy Corbyn are setting up became enveloped in a row over a membership system.

On Thursday morning an invite went out to members of the unnamed party, so far described as “Your Party” in its campaign material, inviting them to officially sign up and give it financial backing.

But Mr Corbyn described this as an “unauthorised email” and warned supporters in a statement posted on social media not to sign up via the link.

The former Labour leader and Independent MP for Islington North also said “legal advice is being taken” over the incident, in the message, which also featured the names of four other Independent MPs who have set up an ad-hoc parliamentary group with Mr Corbyn.

They are Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain, Iqbal Mohammed and Shockat Adam.

Any direct debits should be “immediately cancelled”, Mr Corbyn’s message said.

Writing on X, Ms Sultana appeared to respond to the warning from Mr Corbyn and his colleagues.

The Coventry South MP said: “After being sidelined by the MPs named in today’s statement and effectively frozen out of the official accounts, I took the step of launching a membership portal so that supporters could continue to engage and organise.”

Despite Mr Corbyn’s warning, she insisted supporters of Your Party should “sign up now” as the portal was a “safe, secure, legitimate” means of becoming a member of the party.

Ms Sultana added: “My sole motivation has been to safeguard the grassroots involvement that is essential in building this party.

“Unfortunately I have been subjected to what can only be described as a sexist boys’ club: I have been treated appallingly and excluded completely.”

Later on Thursday, Your Party said it had reported itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

In a statement posted on X, it said: “Following this morning’s unauthorised email to yourparty.uk supporters, the data controller has reported the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office. We will cooperate with the Information Commissioner in full.

“A false membership system has been unilaterally launched, data collected and payments taken. Yourparty.uk has responsibilities to our supporters and duties under the law.

“These developments are a blow for everyone who has put their hope in a real alternative. Following Zarah Sultana’s unilateral announcement of the launch of a new party on 3 July, an agreement was reached for the Independent Alliance MPs to kickstart the founding process and deliver an open, democratic conference to found a new party.

“Zarah signed up to this and was welcomed into the Independent Alliance. She has not been excluded from any discussions – and everyone involved has been committed to a process rooted in inclusivity and mutual respect.”

The row over whether the membership portal is legitimate is not the first time the two MPs have disagreed over the party’s set up.

Earlier this year, Ms Sultana announced she would be setting up the new left-wing political party with Mr Corbyn before he appeared ready to confirm this was the case.

Ms Sultana has also reportedly clashed with Independent MP for Blackburn Mr Hussain over their different views on trans rights.

Opponents on Thursday also highlighted a Companies House listing that showed Mr Corbyn ceased to be a person with significant control of Your Party UK Ltd on September 15. But it is understood that this is due to the former Labour leader falling below the threshold as other Independent MPs became directors.