Full Breakdown
Split in Your Party Leads to Formation of Socialist Federation
6/3/2026, 4:30:30 AM
Background: Recent Turbulence in Your Party
In late February 2026, Jeremy Corbyn was elected parliamentary leader of Your Party, and his slate “The Many” secured 14 seats on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) while the Grassroots Left slate obtained seven. The party’s first electoral test came in May 2026, when it backed several independent groups in local elections and fielded 20 candidates across 17 wards, none of which were elected. Since the start of the year, Your Party’s profile has diminished, and internal frustration has grown.
Key Figures and Groups Involved
The split was driven by members of Grassroots Left, including former Momentum organiser Max Shanly (who attended the party conference but is not a member of the new party) and former independent councillor Grace Lewis, who was elected to the CEC alongside Zarah Sultana before quitting after losing her council seat. Zarah Sultana herself has no involvement in the new formation. The new organization is called Socialist Federation.
Timeline of Events
- Late February 2026 – Jeremy Corbyn wins Your Party leadership; CEC composition set.
- May 2026 – Your Party’s local-election campaign yields no seats.
- Early June 2026 (Sunday) – 250 members join a Zoom call and vote to found Socialist Federation.
- 28 June 2026 – Socialist Federation plans a national conference.
- Later in 2026 – An in-person Congress is scheduled in the Midlands.
Data & Statistics
- 800,000 sign-ups recorded by Your Party last summer, described as an “enormous promise.”
- 250 participants voted to create Socialist Federation.
- Your Party’s May slate: 20 candidates in 17 wards, zero elected.
- CEC seats after February election: 14 for The Many, 7 for Grassroots Left.
Official Statements & Responses
Socialist Federation’s opening post on X said its members had “lost patience” with Your Party and Corbyn, accusing the leadership of showing “only contempt” for grassroots supporters. The group described itself as an interim organisation aiming to build a party with “unwavering socialist principles” that “actively builds working-class power in communities and workplaces.”
A Your Party spokesperson responded that the party’s focus remains on “building a broad, democratic, socialist party capable of delivering meaningful change.” The spokesperson added that new members join daily and that the priority is “supporting members to organise in their communities and building a movement capable of challenging both this Labour government and the growing threat of the far right.”
Criticism & Opposition
The founders of Socialist Federation criticize Your Party for “squander[ing] the enormous promise of 800,000 sign-ups last summer” and for failing to translate grassroots enthusiasm into electoral success. They argue that the current leadership shows contempt for its base and has abandoned core socialist principles.
Why It Matters: Potential Impact on the UK Left
The creation of Socialist Federation introduces a new left-wing option distinct from both Labour and the Greens. If it attracts significant grassroots support, it could fragment left-wing activism, alter future electoral calculations, and pressure existing parties to adopt more explicit socialist policies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources do not specify the exact calendar date of the Sunday vote that launched Socialist Federation. Max Shanly’s role remains ambiguous: he attended the conference but is not a member of the new party. Grace Lewis’s timeline—election to the CEC, loss of her council seat, and subsequent departure—lacks precise dating.
Verbatim Quotes
- “squandered the enormous promise of 800,000 signups last summer.” — Anonymous member, Your Party
- “lost patience” with Your Party and Corbyn — Socialist Federation statement on X
- “only contempt” for its grassroots supporters — Socialist Federation statement on X
- “Socialist Federation is an interim organisation with a longer-term goal. We want to rally forces to form something neither Labour nor the Greens can claim to be: a party with unwavering socialist principles, that actively builds working class power in communities and workplaces.” — Socialist Federation opening statement
- “Our focus remains on building a broad, democratic, socialist party capable of delivering meaningful change.” — Your Party spokesperson
- “Our priority is supporting members to organise in their communities and building a movement capable of challenging both this Labour government and the growing threat of the far right.” — Your Party spokesperson
What’s Next
Socialist Federation will hold a national conference on 28 June 2026, followed by an in-person Congress in the Midlands later in the year. Both Your Party and the new federation continue to recruit members and organize community-level activities as they vie for influence on the UK left.
