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When the concept of a new socialist party fronted by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana was first mooted in the summer, it attracted huge support that a vast number registered their intent in joining.

Despite being quickly beset by internal conflicts – its co-founders rowed bitterly over its founding structure and financial approach – many expected this weekend's launch gathering would herald a fresh start.

Disappointing First Day

A significant portion of the participants are ex-supporters of Labour, disappointed by the agenda of the current government and seeking a new party as they fear the growing influence of the rival party.

As plans for the party's first official gathering were completed, Sultana and Corbyn appeared to buried the hatchet. Speaking at a socialist gathering in Manchester last month, Sultana jokingly compared the duo to the Gallagher brothers, saying: “I’m here to tell you the party is active again.”

However when the gates to the conference centre in Liverpool opened on Saturday morning, Sultana was noticeably missing. As Corbyn spoke to kick off the event, she was drinking a warm beverage in a cafe about a short distance from the conference site.

Structure Conflict

It was clear there was no unified position on how the party needed to be structured. Corbyn told journalists he favoured a conventional single-leader system, with a sole leader chosen to lead, and implied he’d be likely to run if members voted for this approach.

But, in an discussion, Sultana said she was backing a shared governance model, with key decisions being decided by rank-and-file supporters – those not currently acting as elected officials. She added that she did not think parties should be controlled by “individual figures”. She did, nonetheless, state she would be ready to compete against Corbyn if there was a election for a individual head.

Toxic Culture

Despite Sultana claiming she and the former Labour leader were maintaining a positive relationship – they had, she said, talked about how they desired the conference to be “an encouraging gathering where members are enabled” – she was highly critical about some of his allies and Your Party officials whom she feels are working against her. She refused to provide names, but it is known that relations between her supporters and Corbyn’s former chief of staff Karie Murphy are especially tense.

The elected representative – who left Labour in July – added that there was still a “negative atmosphere” among others in Your Party, which had led to “harassment, threats and false accusations” and “intentional disruption”.

Absence and Factionalism

Tensions reached a peak around midday when it became known Sultana would boycott the opening day of the conference, in solidarity with potential participants who had been refused access from the event due to connections to other leftwing groups – particularly the Socialist Workers party. Her representative labeled this a “targeted purge”, commenting: “It is essential to create a party that embraces every left-wing supporter.”

Corbyn's associates – who mistakenly stated on Saturday morning that the the group was officially recognized by the election authority – were incensed, accusing Sultana of attempting to stage a “secondary event”. They believe permitting dual affiliations would create chaos and heighten group conflicts which already appears to have crippled the fledgling movement.

On the status of the Socialist Workers party, one associate said: “Even if it is not registered with the regulatory body but it is clearly an organization. The name speaks for itself.”

Concern Among Delegates

A significant number of participants were annoyed that Saturday’s events descended into group conflicts when they would have preferred to focus on important topics such as the financial challenges and immigration, as well as planning for next year’s local elections.

The group is yet to decide if it will run its own nominees or support independent socialists and some participants believe the party will have failed if it is not available as a choice as an option besides Labour.

Optimism for Sunday

The result is unclear if the event can be rescued on Sunday, when the outcomes of key votes – such as the official title and organizational system – will be announced. Sultana intends to be present and speak to the crowd, which has reassured those who still desire agreement.

Yet the majority of attendees remained despondent as they shuffled out of the meeting space into a wet evening in Liverpool on Saturday. Maybe the atmosphere of the day was expressed by a single delegate, who said: “My substantial beverage is transforming into a bottle.”