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At the idea of a new socialist party fronted by Jeremy Corbyn and the Coventry South MP was originally suggested in the summer, it attracted huge support that hundreds of thousands expressed an interest in joining.

Despite being almost immediately plagued by internal conflicts – its founders rowed bitterly over its initial leadership and funding model – many hoped this weekend's inaugural conference would signal a new beginning.

Disappointing First Day

Many of the participants are people who left the Labour party, unhappy about the direction of the incumbent leadership and searching for a political home as they are concerned by the increasing popularity of the competing political group.

When arrangements for the party's launch event were finalised, Sultana and Corbyn appeared to resolved their differences. Speaking at a progressive event in Manchester last month, Sultana jokingly compared the pair to the famous musical siblings, saying: “I’m here to tell you the project is moving forward.”

Yet when the gates to the meeting hall in Liverpool were unlocked on Saturday morning, Sultana was conspicuously missing. As Corbyn delivered his opening address, she was drinking a warm beverage in a restaurant about a brief walk from the venue.

Governance Division

The situation revealed there was significant disagreement on how the party ought to be governed. Corbyn stated to reporters he favoured a conventional single-leader system, with a single individual voted into power, and suggested he’d be prepared to compete if members voted for this approach.

But, in an discussion, Sultana said she was supporting a shared governance model, with important choices being made by rank-and-file supporters – those not presently working as political representatives. She commented that she did not think parties should be controlled by “individual figures”. She did, however, suggest she would be prepared to run opposing Corbyn if there was a vote for a single leader.

Toxic Culture

While Sultana maintained she and the previous leader were maintaining a positive relationship – they had, she said, spoken about how they wanted the conference to be “an uplifting and happy event where members are enabled” – she was sharply negative about various associates and Your Party officials whom she believes are briefing against her. She would not specify who, but it is understood that interactions between her backers and Corbyn’s previous top advisor Karie Murphy are especially tense.

The elected representative – who abandoned Labour in July – further stated that there was still a “harmful environment” among some within Your Party, which had resulted in “bullying, intimidation and smears” and “planned interference”.

Absence and Group Conflicts

Tensions came to a head around lunchtime when it became known Sultana would not attend the first day of the conference, in support for would-be delegates who had been denied entry from the event due to membership in other progressive movements – notably the Socialist Workers party. Her representative described this as a “witch-hunt”, commenting: “We must build a party that embraces every left-wing supporter.”

Supporters of Corbyn – who incorrectly claimed on Saturday morning that the Socialist Workers party was registered with the regulatory body – were incensed, accusing Sultana of attempting to stage a “distraction”. They think allowing multiparty membership would lead to problems and heighten group conflicts which already looks to have hindered the fledgling movement.

On the status of the Socialist Workers party, one Corbyn ally said: “Even if it is not registered with the regulatory body but it is nonetheless a political group. The name speaks for itself.”

Disappointment Among Delegates

Many delegates were annoyed that Saturday’s activities descended into internal disputes when they would have preferred to focus on important topics such as the cost of living crisis and immigration, as well as planning for next year’s municipal votes.

The new organization is still considering if it will field its own candidates or support independent socialists and some supporters think the party will have fallen short if it is not on the ballot paper as an alternative to Labour.

Hope for The Second Day

It remains to be seen if proceedings can be rescued on Sunday, when the outcomes of crucial polls – such as the party’s permanent name and leadership structure – will be declared. Sultana intends to be present and give a speech, which has reassured those who still wish for cohesion.

However most delegates remained discouraged as they made their way of the meeting space into a damp night in the city on Saturday. Maybe the mood of the day was captured by one participant, who said: “My substantial beverage is transforming into a bottle.”