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As the notion of a recent leftwing party led by the former Labour leader and the Coventry South MP was originally suggested in the summer, it garnered immense interest that hundreds of thousands expressed an interest in becoming members.

Although it was quickly beset by arguments – its leaders rowed bitterly over its founding structure and revenue strategy – many anticipated this weekend's inaugural conference would represent a new beginning.

Troubling First Day

A sizeable chunk of the 2,500 delegates are ex-supporters of Labour, unhappy about the direction of the current government and looking for a political home as they worry about the rise of the rival party.

When arrangements for the party's inaugural conference were completed, Sultana and Corbyn appeared to buried the hatchet. Participating in a leftwing festival in Manchester last month, Sultana jokingly compared the pair to the famous musical siblings, remarking: “I’m here to tell you the party is active again.”

But when the entrances to the event venue in Liverpool welcomed attendees on Saturday morning, Sultana was curiously not present. As Corbyn gave his introductory speech, she was enjoying a cafe drink in a coffee shop about a mile from the conference site.

Leadership Division

The situation revealed there was significant disagreement on how the party ought to be governed. Corbyn informed the press he favoured a conventional single-leader system, with a single individual chosen to lead, and suggested he’d be likely to run if members chose this system.

However, in an interview, Sultana said she was advocating for a collective leadership structure, with crucial policies being decided by lay members – those not presently working as political representatives. She added that she did not think parties should be managed by “individual figures”. She did, nonetheless, suggest she would be ready to compete in competition with Corbyn if there was a contest for a single leader.

Toxic Culture

While Sultana maintained she and the ex-party head were maintaining a positive relationship – they had, she said, discussed how they desired the conference to be “an uplifting and happy event where members are enabled” – she was sharply negative about certain supporters and group leaders whom she believes are undermining her. She declined to identify individuals, but it is known that relations between her supporters and Corbyn’s former chief of staff Karie Murphy are notably strained.

The Coventry South MP – who abandoned Labour in July – also mentioned that there was still a “harmful environment” among certain members of Your Party, which had led to “pressure, coercion and defamation” and “intentional disruption”.

Protest and Factionalism

Strains escalated significantly around midday when it became known Sultana would boycott the initial sessions of the conference, in solidarity with prospective attendees who had been denied entry from the event due to membership in other progressive movements – notably the Socialist Workers party. Her spokesperson labeled this a “targeted purge”, stating: “It is essential to create a party that embraces every left-wing supporter.”

Corbyn's associates – who wrongly asserted on Saturday morning that the Socialist Workers party was officially recognized by the regulatory body – were furious, accusing Sultana of seeking to orchestrate a “secondary event”. They think accepting overlapping memberships would lead to problems and worsen internal divisions which already looks to have hindered the new party.

On the status of the the political group, one supporter of Corbyn said: “Although it isn't formally recognized by the regulatory body but it is still a party. The clue is in the name.”

Concern Among Delegates

Many delegates were disappointed that Saturday’s events turned into internal disputes when they would have wanted to discuss crucial matters such as the economic pressures and immigration, as well as preparing for next year’s local elections.

The group is still considering if it will field its own candidates or back socialist independents and some participants believe the party will have fallen short if it is not listed for election as an option besides Labour.

Optimism for Day Two

The outcome is uncertain if the conference can be recovered on Sunday, when the results of important ballots – such as the final designation and governance model – will be announced. Sultana intends to be present and speak to the crowd, which has reassured those who still wish for agreement.

Yet most delegates remained discouraged as they made their way of the meeting space into a damp night in the city on Saturday. Perhaps the sentiment of the day was captured by an individual attendee, who said: “My large glass of wine is becoming a bottle.”