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In a significant political development, Labour has lost its first elected representative to the newly formed hard-Left party founded by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. Grace Lewis, a 22-year-old councillor representing Westwood on Coventry city council, announced her resignation from the Labour Party on Friday to join the rival movement, provisionally named "Your Party." This defection marks a concrete step in the new party's challenge to Sir Keir Starmer's leadership and the Labour government.
The defection of Cllr Lewis is a notable victory for the new party, which was established last month by the two independent MPs. The party, which plans to hold its founding conference in November, is positioning itself to the left of Labour on key policy areas, including taxation, welfare, and foreign policy, particularly the Israel-Palestine conflict. The move by Cllr Lewis validates the new party's strategy of appealing to those who feel politically disenfranchised by the current Labour leadership.
In a candid statement, Cllr Lewis explained her decision, citing deep disillusionment with the Labour government. "Today, after five-and-a-half years, I resigned my Labour Party membership," she said. "I will now serve the residents of Westwood on Coventry city council as an independent." She went on to heavily criticize Labour's policies, accusing the party of abandoning its core principles. "The Labour Party promised 'change,' yet since entering government, Labour has cut support for disabled people, kept the Tories’ cruel two-child benefit cap and slashed winter fuel payments, driving record numbers into poverty."
Lewis also took aim at Labour's stance on social and international issues, stating, "They have joined Reform in targeting minorities, including migrants and trans people, all whilst being active participants in the genocide in Gaza, ramping up spending on war, and arming Israel – criminalising peaceful protesters in the process."
The young councillor, who was elected in May 2024, has been a vocal pro-Palestinian activist. At a council meeting in December, she had accused Israel of a "genocidal assault on Gaza" and called for the West Midlands Pension Fund to divest from companies linked to arms sales to Israel. Her Instagram account also features a graduation photo where she poses with a "Free Palestine" banner, further solidifying her political identity.
In her statement, Cllr Lewis pledged her support for Corbyn and Sultana's party, describing it as "rooted in working-class communities" and offering "real change." Echoing Mr. Corbyn's famous slogan, she added, "From the picket line and demonstrations to the council chamber, I’ll continue to fight for peace, justice, and to put wealth and power into the hands of the many, not the few."
Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South, celebrated the defection, praising Cllr Lewis as a "formidable force in local government." She extended an invitation to other councillors, questioning whether they were "really delivering the change Keir Starmer promised."
Meanwhile, Labour has sought to downplay the significance of the new party, pointing to Mr. Corbyn's two general election defeats in 2017 and 2019. However, internal concerns are mounting. Polling data suggests that Your Party could attract between 10% and 18% of the popular vote, a potential "split" of the Left-wing vote that could damage Labour's electoral prospects in a similar fashion to how Reform UK has taken support from the Conservatives.
Updated Information on Your Party's Development
Beyond the defection, Your Party has provided further details on its formation. An email to supporters on Friday confirmed that the founding conference will be a hybrid event, held both in-person and online "before the end of the year," to ensure maximum accessibility and democratic participation. The email emphasized the party's commitment to being member-led, stating, "This conference will be the moment where, together, we will decide the direction, structure and platform of this party."
The party's leadership structure is also taking shape. Mr. Corbyn and Ms. Sultana are collaborating with the four other independent MPs who were elected on a pro-Gaza platform at the last general election. These MPs, whose names were not disclosed in the email, are assisting in the "founding process" and working with "people from campaigns, trade unions and social movements up and down the country." This coalition aims to "launch a democratic party that belongs to you," uniting disparate Left-wing movements under a single banner.
The development of Your Party and the high-profile defection of a young, outspoken councillor like Grace Lewis underscores the deepening ideological chasm within the UK's Left-wing politics. As the new party builds its foundations, it presents a credible and organized challenge to a Labour government struggling to maintain a unified front.
