Welcome to an exploration of the shifting landscape of UK politics. As we navigate this volatile environment, we’ll delve into the recent developments surrounding Your Party and its aspirations for grassroots democracy, as well as the challenges it faces. Paul Rogers, an expert in Peace Studies, offers insight into these dynamics.
By Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies in the Department of Peace Studies and International Relations at Bradford University, and an Honorary Fellow at the Joint Service Command and Staff College. He is openDemocracy’s international security correspondent. He is on Twitter at: @ProfPRogers. Originally published at openDemocracy
The current political landscape in the UK is marked by significant upheaval, particularly for Keir Starmer’s Labour government, which is grappling with multiple challenges.
Reform UK is gaining traction in the polls, and as many anticipate the next general election in 2029, there is growing concern that a far-right government led by Nigel Farage could emerge, potentially in coalition with the Conservatives.
Given the Labour Party’s status and its corporate influences, any substantial opposition may need to arise from the Green Party and the newly established Your Party, which recently held its first conference in Liverpool.
The conference experience was markedly different from the portrayal in mainstream media. The latter is predominantly critical, struggling to comprehend the concept of a political party embracing grassroots democracy on such a scale. Their consensus is that Your Party is stagnating.
In contrast, the conference itself buzzed with enthusiasm for the progressive policies that have underpinned Corbynism since 1995, which attendees hoped to see revitalized.
Over two days, approximately 2,500 attendees, along with thousands online, engaged in direct, binding votes on 28 pivotal issues. These ranged from the party’s name—ultimately sticking with Your Party—to its constitution, organizational strategy, and specific guidelines regarding MPs’ fiscal behaviour.
The passion among participants was palpable, albeit tempered by concerns about lingering internal divisions. The party has faced significant setbacks due to several disagreements leading up to the conference, with co-founders Jeremy Corbyn and ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana often finding themselves at odds.
These divisions were exacerbated by the negativity pervasive in modern social media and reflective analyses from commentators like Steven Methven in Novara Media and Paul Knaggs in Labour Heartlands.
Regardless of differing opinions on Your Party and its implications, it represents an unusual experiment in grassroots democracy in the UK.
In recent months, hundreds of individuals across the UK have come together to organize Your Party meetings at short notice, with many gathering in attendance.
While the process is far from perfect and hurried, especially with local and parliamentary elections approaching in May, Your Party has the opportunity to instill grassroots accountability within its framework, despite the significant challenges ahead.
The prevailing national economic environment is steeped in a neoliberal model that starkly contrasts with Your Party’s vision. This model primarily benefits the UK’s ultra-wealthy elite, supported by mainstream media and its affluent owners, complicating efforts to challenge it.
In the United States, the far-right’s Project 2025 is shaping a strategy for Donald Trump’s second term, while in the UK, a similar initiative called Project 2029 is reportedly underway. This involves a political lobbyist associated with the Heritage Foundation collaborating with Reform UK ahead of the 2029 General Election.
From this vantage point, the ideal scenario would see Reform merge with the Conservative Party, leveraging advice and funding from Trump’s network to secure electoral victory.
A year ago, such a prospect might have seemed far-fetched, yet the current state of UK politics is anything but stable. Labour’s landslide victory last year was achieved with less than 34% of the vote, and the party now finds itself in a difficult position, while the Green Party’s membership has surpassed that of the Conservatives, thanks in large part to its rising star, Zack Polanski.
The future of Your Party now hinges on its ability to harness the commitment displayed in Liverpool, mending internal rifts in the process.
We already know that political dynamics can shift rapidly, and innovative ideas can emerge unexpectedly. The transformative impact of Polanski’s leadership on the Greens exemplifies this, as do two significant events from the past decade.
In 2015, Corbyn’s leadership campaign within the Labour Party secured 60% of the vote, while his policies during the subsequent general election two years later not only disrupted then-Conservative leader Theresa May’s anticipated landslide but also deprived her of a parliamentary majority, compelling her to negotiate with the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party to maintain her position.
In both instances, Corbyn’s platform aimed to address the UK’s stark wealth inequality, resonating with millions beyond Labour’s traditional base.
Given that there are still over three years until the next election and considering the widespread political apathy in the UK, it would be unwise to dismiss the possibility that Corbyn and Your Party could replicate such successes once more.
