PoliticsJOE Podcast Your Party conference recap, from the train to London
Dec 1, 2025
Ava and Laura share their journey home from the chaotic conference in Liverpool, where a new political party's future was at stake. They delve into the debate over collective leadership versus a single leader, highlighting Zahra Sultana's fiery speech and its mixed reception. Concerns about turnout and legitimacy lead to discussions of the democratic ideals and practical challenges of their new model. Meanwhile, the energy around member-led democracy shines through, as they reflect on the party's evolving identity and the logistical headaches post-conference.
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Collective Leadership Wins Narrowly
- The conference narrowly chose a collective leadership model over a single leader, reflecting a strong membership-led democratic sentiment.
- Hosts warn this model risks weak accountability and a lack of a clear public figurehead for media and voters.
Figureheads Matter In Elections
- Ava-Santina and Laura argue collective leadership may hurt media clarity and electoral appeal without a rallying figure.
- They compare the Greens' success under a singular leader as evidence of the trade-off.
Clarify Rules Before Ratification
- Simplify and clarify party rules before major votes to avoid confusion among members and journalists.
- Publish plain-language roles and eligibility so members understand who can hold officer positions.