The New Statesman: politics and culture Your Party and the UK's left crisis
Oct 21, 2025
James Schneider, a political organiser and former communications director for Jeremy Corbyn, discusses the challenges and hopes of establishing a new left party in the UK. He shares insights on the difficulties of party formation, the necessity of grassroots mobilization, and the importance of democratic structures. Schneider highlights core constituencies for a popular left majority and emphasizes learning from successful grassroots campaigns. He also addresses potential cooperation with the Green Party and the role of leaders like Corbyn in shaping a united progressive bloc.
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Role In Founding Your Party
- James Schneider describes running Jeremy Corbyn's parliamentary campaign and then helping found the new party before stepping back a month ago.
- He frames his involvement as intensive volunteer work that he reduced due to other commitments.
Three Conditions That Make Party-Building Easier
- New parties are easier with either a hyper leader, an existing organisation, or a small highly aligned team.
- The UK left lacked those conditions, making the founding process slow and conflict-prone.
Use A Founding Conference To Legitimize Structure
- Hold a founding conference to debate and ratify draft documents and create sovereign decision-making rooted in membership.
- Use regional deliberative meetings, delegate amendments, and an online member vote to finalise the party's basics.