STORY
Speculation is mounting over whether Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn are jointly leading a new political movement, following a series of ambiguous public statements and mounting media interest in the formation of a left-wing party outside Labour. Last week, Zarah Sultana, formerly the Labour MP for Coventry South, announced she was leaving the Labour Party, citing disappointment with its direction in government. In a widely circulated statement, she said she would be helping to build a “real alternative” and praised Jeremy Corbyn’s longstanding support for equality and justice. Corbyn, who sits as an independent MP for Islington North, responded warmly, saying he was “delighted” by her decision and looked forward to working with her.
However, neither politician has explicitly stated whether they are co-leading a new political party, nor what formal roles they might hold in the organisation expected to emerge in the coming months. A post on Corbyn’s social media described “the democratic foundations of a new kind of political party” being formed, but stopped short of naming the party or its leadership.
The vagueness has led to increasing speculation, particularly online, where supporters have begun referring to the pair as joint leaders of a new left project. No official announcement has been made, and insiders close to both MPs have declined to confirm the leadership arrangement, suggesting discussions are ongoing. A spokesperson for Sultana said she remains “focused on building a credible political alternative” but declined to answer whether she considers herself a co-leader. Meanwhile, Corbyn’s office has emphasised “collaborative structures” and “community-based leadership” language that has fuelled further debate over whether the new party might adopt a collective leadership model.