Former Labour leader Lord Neil Kinnock has warned that any “splintering” of the left-wing parties would “only be of assistance to the enemies of Labour”. He suggested a breakaway party being created to the left of Labour should be known as the “Farage assistance group”.
Asked how much of a threat he thought any new party could be, after Jeremy Corbyn suggested that discussions were under way, Lord Kinnock said: “I understand they’re having a bit of difficulty over thinking of a name. In a comradely way, I’d suggest one. It would be the Farage assistance group.”
He said that a “division” in the “anti-right wing vote can only assist the parties of the right, the Conservatives especially, now under [Kemi] Badenoch, and, under [Nigel] Farage, the Reform party.
“So the splintering… offered by a new party of the left… can only be of assistance to the enemies of Labour, of the working-class – the people who have no means of sustaining themselves other than the sale of their labour by hand and by brain – and can only be of benefit to the egos of those who are running such a party.”
Former Labour leader Mr Corbyn said that the “foundations of a new kind” of party will “take shape” soon.
Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana, who has sat as an independent since last year, said on Thursday that she was resigning from Labour to establish a new party with Mr Corbyn, alongside other independent MPs and campaigners.
It is understood that questions over the leadership and the timing of an announcement had not been settled before Ms Sultana’s statement about founding a new party on Thursday.
In a statement more than 17 hours after Ms Sultana’s, Mr Corbyn said: “The democratic foundations of a new kind of political party will soon take shape.
“Discussions are ongoing – and I am excited to work alongside all communities to fight for the future people deserve.”
He also said that Ms Sultana will “help us build a real alternative”.
Ms Sultana, who had the Labour whip suspended last year, said on Thursday that she was quitting Sir Keir Starmer’s party and would “co-lead the founding of a new party” with Mr Corbyn.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “
“I think when it comes to the formation of a new party, some of those involved, I think (…) checked out the Labour Party quite a long time ago.
“Now it’s for them to forge their way forward.
“But what will determine the next election is whether people really see in their lives, in their families, in their communities, the difference a Labour Government has brought.”