Iqbal Mohamed becomes second MP to leave Your Party

Your Party, a nascent left-wing political movement, is facing existential challenges even before its official launch. The party, still operating under a provisional name, has been plagued by a series of controversies and high-profile departures, casting doubt on its viability. Last Friday, Adnan Hussain, one of the six MPs in the party’s steering group, announced his departure. A week later, Iqbal Mohamed, MP for Batley and Dewsbury, followed suit, citing ‘false allegations and smears’ as the reason for his exit. Mohamed expressed disappointment over the lack of evidence supporting these accusations and emphasized his commitment to serving as an independent MP. The party’s internal discord has been exacerbated by public disagreements between co-leaders Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn. Sultana’s controversial statements and unilateral actions, such as launching a party website without consulting Corbyn and other independents, further deepened the rift. The Independent Alliance, a parliamentary group comprising former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and three other independents, has also distanced itself from Your Party. Adnan Hussain lamented the ‘toxic and exclusionary’ culture within the party, which he initially joined with hopes of fostering a pluralistic and inclusive political space. Despite early enthusiasm and significant public support, Your Party’s future now hangs in the balance, with the Green Party emerging as a stronger contender on the British left. The party’s inability to unite diverse voter bases and resolve internal conflicts has undermined its potential to become a significant political force.