Corbyn and Sultana: Who Leads?

Just when Sir Keir Starmer thought he had gotten rid of the spectre of Jeremy Corbyn, the man rises again! Starmer purged the Labour Party of Corbynites and moved Labour to the right/centre (depending on your perspective). Labour won the general election with a thumping 400-odd majority. Sir Keir Starmer was Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister. Corbyn was banished from the Labour Party and became an independent MP. Labour at the general election tried to oust Mr. Corbyn from his Islington North Seat. However, their candidate failed, and Mr. Corbyn was reelected as the MP for the area. Independent and no longer attached to the Labour Party. Corbyn has been a Labour Party member, trade union member, campaigner, MP, and Leader of the Labour Party.

Corbyn and Zarah Sultana MP announced they were forming a new left- wing party. Asking people to sign up via a link. The party has the temporary name of "YourParty". Corbyn and Sultana have asked those interested to come up with a more permanent name. It is believed the party will vote on names in September. Already, the party has attracted huge interest.

Zarah Sultana was like Jeremy Corbyn, a Labour MP. She is the MP for Coventry, a town in the English Midlands. Like Corbyn, she was on the left side of the party. Like Corbyn, she has been highly critical of Keir Starmer. Whether it be cutbacks and a perceived rolling back or watering down of policy. Also, Israel's ongoing war in Gaza and the West Bank. Whereas Corbyn was kicked out of the Labour Party, Zarah Sultana decided to leave the party.

Now Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana are the anointed figureheads of the party. It is a co-leadership between the two. Neither one claims dominance over the other. While others are happy with this arrangement of co or joint leadership, including Zarah herself, others are not.

Some would like to see an open contest. Jeremy Corbyn himself, in his commitment to open democracy, including the grassroots, believes it is only correct to have a leadership contest. That will give a chance for the party to vote for candidates other than Corbyn or Sultana. So that others can step forward and be given the same chance as Corbyn or Sultana. And, one can understand that rather than Corbyn and Sultana being forced or imposed as leaders.

Many argue that Zarah Sultana is happy to keep the status quo of co-leadership. As opposed to Mr. Corbyn's idea of holding an open contest. It seems that if such a contest were held, Mr. Corbyn is quite happy with the prospect of not winning such a contest.

There appears to be a debate ongoing within "YourParty". As to whether to stay with the co-leadership model of Sultana and Corbyn or hold a contest to decide who should be the leader. In which Corbyn and Sultana will put themselves forward as candidates. Unknowns stepping forward as candidates also.

Others feel Mr. Corbyn, as the senior person, should lead "YourParty" for 2 years. Many feel Ms. Sultana is too young and too inexperienced to be the sole leader. They say she needs to bed down alongside the senior Corbyn. Learn the ropes and gain experience of what it is to be a leader.

Whatever happens with Corbyn and Sultana, you have the senior experience of Corbyn and the youthful energy of Sultana. Corbyn has already experienced what it is like to be a leader of a political party. So, Sultana can learn from that. Conversely, Corbyn can keep himself relevant and abreast of current issues thanks to Sultana's youth.