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As the notion of a recent progressive party fronted by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana was originally suggested in the summer, it garnered immense interest that countless individuals expressed an interest in becoming members.

Despite being quickly beset by internal conflicts – its founders disagreed intensely over its founding structure and revenue strategy – many expected this weekend's launch gathering would signal a fresh start.

Disappointing First Day

Many of the 2,500 delegates are ex-supporters of Labour, unhappy about the direction of the incumbent leadership and searching for a ideological base as they fear the growing influence of the competing political group.

While preparations for the party's first official gathering were wrapped up, Sultana and Corbyn seemed to resolved their differences. Appearing at a progressive event in Manchester last month, Sultana lightheartedly likened the pair to the famous musical siblings, remarking: “Let me assure you the party is active again.”

But when the doors to the conference centre in Liverpool opened on Saturday morning, Sultana was conspicuously absent. As Corbyn delivered his opening address, she was drinking a warm beverage in a restaurant about a mile from the location.

Leadership Division

It was clear there was significant disagreement on how the party needed to be structured. Corbyn stated to reporters he preferred a conventional single-leader system, with a sole leader voted into power, and indicated he’d be prepared to compete if members chose this option.

However, in an interview, Sultana said she was advocating for a collective leadership structure, with key decisions being decided by lay members – those not currently acting as elected officials. She noted that she did not think parties should be run by “individual figures”. She did, however, suggest she would be ready to compete against Corbyn if there was a vote for a sole leader.

Problematic Environment

Despite Sultana claiming she and the ex-party head were on good terms – they had, she said, talked about how they wanted the conference to be “a positive, joyful experience where members are enabled” – she was highly critical about some of his allies and group leaders whom she thinks are briefing against her. She declined to identify individuals, but it is believed that the relationship between her supporters and Corbyn’s former chief of staff Karie Murphy are particularly fraught.

The elected representative – who abandoned Labour in July – added that there was still a “negative atmosphere” among some within Your Party, which had led to “harassment, threats and false accusations” and “acts of deliberate sabotage”.

Boycott and Factionalism

Conflict came to a head around the afternoon when it was revealed Sultana would not attend the opening day of the conference, in solidarity with prospective attendees who had been refused access from the event due to affiliations with other leftwing groups – particularly the the political group. Her aide labeled this a “targeted purge”, commenting: “It is essential to create a party that embraces every left-wing supporter.”

Corbyn's associates – who wrongly asserted on Saturday morning that the SWP was officially recognized by the election authority – were incensed, claiming Sultana was trying to create a “secondary event”. They feel accepting overlapping memberships would create chaos and worsen internal divisions which already seems to have hampered the fledgling movement.

On the status of the Socialist Workers party, one Corbyn ally said: “Even if it is not officially listed by the regulatory body but it is nonetheless a political group. The name speaks for itself.”

Disappointment Among Attendees

Numerous attendees were annoyed that Saturday’s proceedings descended into factionalism when they would have wanted to focus on key issues such as the cost of living crisis and border controls, as well as strategising for next year’s regional polls.

The new organization is yet to decide if it will run its own nominees or support independent socialists and some members think the party will have fallen short if it is not available as a choice as an alternative to Labour.

Hope for The Second Day

The result is unclear if the conference can be recovered on Sunday, when the results of important ballots – such as the official title and organizational system – will be revealed. Sultana intends to be present and deliver an address, which has reassured those who still hope for unity.

But many participants remained discouraged as they made their way of the conference hall into a wet evening in Liverpool on Saturday. Maybe the atmosphere of the day was summed up by a single attendee, who said: “My substantial beverage is turning into a bottle.”