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As the notion of a new socialist party spearheaded by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana was initially proposed in the summer, it attracted huge support that a vast number expressed an interest in joining.

Although it was almost immediately plagued by internal conflicts – its founders disagreed intensely over its early governance and funding model – many hoped this weekend's inaugural conference would herald a fresh start.

Disappointing First Day

A significant portion of the participants are people who left the Labour party, dissatisfied with the policies of the present administration and seeking a ideological base as they are concerned by the rise of Reform UK.

When arrangements for the party's inaugural conference were finalised, Sultana and Corbyn looked to have made amends. Speaking at a leftwing festival in Manchester last month, Sultana jokingly compared the pair to the Gallagher brothers, saying: “I want to announce the party is active again.”

However when the entrances to the event venue in Liverpool welcomed attendees on Saturday morning, Sultana was curiously absent. As Corbyn delivered his opening address, she was enjoying a cafe drink in a restaurant about a brief walk from the conference site.

Leadership Division

It became evident there was significant disagreement on how the party needed to be structured. Corbyn told journalists he favoured a traditional leadership model, with a single individual voted into power, and implied he’d be inclined to stand if members voted for this approach.

In contrast, in an conversation, Sultana said she was backing a shared governance model, with key decisions being taken by lay members – those not currently acting as elected officials. She commented that she did not think parties should be managed by “single leaders”. She did, nevertheless, state she would be ready to compete in competition with Corbyn if there was a election for a single leader.

Toxic Culture

While Sultana maintained she and the previous leader were maintaining a positive relationship – they had, she said, spoken about how they desired the conference to be “an uplifting and happy event where members are enabled” – she was sharply negative about various associates and Your Party officials whom she thinks are working against her. She refused to provide names, but it is known that the relationship between her followers and Corbyn’s former chief of staff Karie Murphy are notably strained.

The Coventry South MP – who defected from Labour in July – also mentioned that there was still a “toxic culture” among some within Your Party, which had resulted in “harassment, threats and false accusations” and “intentional disruption”.

Boycott and Group Conflicts

Tensions came to a head around lunchtime when it became known Sultana would avoid the initial sessions of the conference, in alliance with would-be delegates who had been refused access from the event due to affiliations with other socialist organizations – particularly the Socialist Workers party. Her representative called this a “witch-hunt”, stating: “It is essential to create a party that embraces every left-wing supporter.”

Allies of Corbyn – who wrongly asserted on Saturday morning that the Socialist Workers party was officially recognized by the regulatory body – were incensed, accusing Sultana of attempting to stage a “distraction”. They believe permitting dual affiliations would lead to problems and worsen internal divisions which already looks to have hindered the emerging organization.

On the status of the Socialist Workers party, one Corbyn ally said: “Even if it is not formally recognized by the election authority but it is nonetheless a political group. The clue is in the name.”

Disappointment Among Attendees

Many delegates were frustrated that Saturday’s activities became dominated by group conflicts when they would have preferred to focus on important topics such as the economic pressures and migration policy, as well as preparing for next year’s local elections.

Your Party is yet to decide if it will field its own candidates or back socialist independents and some participants think the party will have fallen short if it is not available as a choice as an option besides Labour.

Hope for Day Two

The outcome is uncertain if the event can be salvaged on Sunday, when the decisions of key votes – such as the party’s permanent name and organizational system – will be revealed. Sultana intends to be present and give a speech, which has comforted those who still desire cohesion.

However many participants remained despondent as they shuffled out of the meeting space into a rainy Liverpool night on Saturday. It's possible the mood of the day was captured by a single attendee, who said: “My large glass of wine is becoming a entire container.”