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As the notion of a new socialist party spearheaded by Jeremy Corbyn and the Coventry South MP was first mooted in the summer, it attracted huge support that hundreds of thousands showed enthusiasm in joining.

Although it was almost immediately plagued by disputes – its leaders disagreed intensely over its initial leadership and revenue strategy – many anticipated this weekend's launch gathering would represent a new beginning.

Disappointing Opening Day

Many of the attendees are former Labour members, dissatisfied with the direction of the incumbent leadership and searching for a new party as they are concerned by the growing influence of the competing political group.

While preparations for the party's launch event were finalised, Sultana and Corbyn seemed to made amends. Appearing at a leftwing festival in Manchester last month, Sultana jokingly compared the pair to the Gallagher brothers, saying: “Let me assure you the project is moving forward.”

However when the entrances to the meeting hall in Liverpool welcomed attendees on Saturday morning, Sultana was curiously absent. As Corbyn gave his introductory speech, she was sipping hot chocolate in a restaurant about a mile from the location.

Structure Conflict

It became evident there was no unified position on how the party needed to be structured. Corbyn told journalists he favoured a conventional single-leader system, with one person elected to take charge, and suggested he’d be prepared to compete if members chose this approach.

In contrast, in an discussion, Sultana said she was supporting a collective leadership structure, with crucial policies being decided by ordinary participants – those not presently working as political representatives. She added that she did not think parties should be run by “individual figures”. She did, nevertheless, suggest she would be prepared to run in competition with Corbyn if there was a vote for a individual head.

Toxic Culture

Despite Sultana claiming she and the former Labour leader were maintaining a positive relationship – they had, she said, discussed how they desired the conference to be “a positive, joyful experience where members are enabled” – she was sharply negative about some of his allies and party administrators whom she thinks are working against her. She declined to identify individuals, but it is understood that interactions between her supporters and Corbyn’s previous top advisor Karie Murphy are notably strained.

The elected representative – who left Labour in July – also mentioned that there was still a “negative atmosphere” among others in Your Party, which had led to “bullying, intimidation and smears” and “acts of deliberate sabotage”.

Absence and Factionalism

Conflict escalated significantly around lunchtime when it was revealed Sultana would not attend the first day of the conference, in solidarity with potential participants who had been refused access from the event due to connections to other progressive movements – especially the the SWP. Her representative labeled this a “political persecution”, adding: “It is essential to create a party that embraces every left-wing supporter.”

Allies of Corbyn – who wrongly asserted on Saturday morning that the the group was officially recognized by the election authority – were furious, accusing Sultana of seeking to orchestrate a “distraction”. They think permitting dual affiliations would lead to problems and heighten group conflicts which already seems to have hampered the new party.

On the status of the SWP, one associate said: “It might not be formally recognized by the Electoral Commission but it is still a party. Its title indicates its nature.”

Disappointment Among Participants

A significant number of participants were disappointed that Saturday’s activities turned into internal disputes when they would have wanted to address key issues such as the financial challenges and border controls, as well as preparing for next year’s municipal votes.

The group is has not determined if it will field its own candidates or back socialist independents and some supporters believe the party will have failed if it is not listed for election as an option besides Labour.

Optimism for Day Two

The result is unclear if proceedings can be salvaged on Sunday, when the results of key votes – such as the party’s permanent name and governance model – will be revealed. Sultana is scheduled to participate and deliver an address, which has comforted those who still hope for cohesion.

Yet most delegates remained despondent as they shuffled out of the conference hall into a rainy Liverpool night on Saturday. Maybe the atmosphere of the day was summed up by a single attendee, who said: “My generous drink is becoming a full bottle.”