Your Party launched its branches in Scotland this month, starting in Glasgow on Friday, 5 September 2025, at 6:30 pm at the Renfield Centre launch event, marking its official entry into the nation’s crowded political landscape. Hoping to take on the other left-wing parties, the party, founded by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana in July 2025, labels itself on its official website as a “new kind of political party” that belongs to its members and is “rooted in communities, trade unions and social movements.”
The party’s ambitious plans, however, still face major challenges, including facing up to the rising threat of nationalism and Reform UK spreading across the UK.
Still in its foundational stage, with major decisions about policies, leadership, and structure to be decided at the party’s first conference in October, Your Party is entering the political game in Scotland at a time when competition on the left, political polarisation, and the rise of far-right parties have never been fiercer.
Interviewing students around campus on Your Party’s launch, there was a clear sense of hopelessness regarding UK politics. Whilst some felt that the party’s launch was initially “really exciting,” the party has since been lost in disorganisation and has struggled “to keep up their momentum.”
With party branches launching in Scotland, an Edinburgh branch was quick to establish itself online in early September, with the party’s official launch event on Saturday 27 September at St Bride’s Centre, where members discussed what matters the party will champion and represent.
Jeremy Corbyn has made his support for Scottish branches and his hopes to succeed in Scotland clear, making public appearances on picket lines in Glasgow to show his support for strikers and belief in the importance of its grassroots members and traditional left-wing activism.
With the next Scottish Parliament election due to take place in May 2026 at the latest, and the battle for Holyrood intensifying as threats from both the far left and right threaten to break up traditional voting patterns, Scotland’s Additional Member System means there may be more opportunities for Your Party to gain representation in parliament without winning specific constituency seats.
However, students didn’t seem convinced of the party’s chances in the May elections, stating “they’ve got to get themselves together first” and that “here’s potential” but “they need time” before they will be able to make any significant impact on election results.
The competition on both sides of the political spectrum is heating up. Scottish Conservatives have lost to Reform in four out of the last five Holyrood polls regarding voting intention for both constituency and regional seats, whilst Your Party faces competition from Scotland’s many left-wing parties.
Despite months since the party announced its launch, the party’s policies and commitments remain vague on the specifics of issues, especially in Scotland. When asked about the party’s position on Scottish independence, Corbyn suggested he would support a second referendum “if that’s what the Scottish people want.” However, the party is increasingly facing criticism for taking too long to provide any concrete plans for how these ideas will be implemented.
Significant internal challenges have marked the party’s launch this month regarding the non-unilateral launch of membership, and claims of data theft and unauthorised payments.
More damaging have been the cases of infighting and allegations of exclusionary behaviour between the party’s founders, Corbyn and Sultana, as Sultana has labelled the culture a “sexist boys’ club,” saying she has been “frozen out” of key discussions. Following these incidents, which have raised questions about the longevity and stability of the party, Scottish branches were quick to release a united statement demanding a “relaunch of membership” and “transparency of leadership going forward.”
Student opinion was divided on whether infighting and tensions between Corbyn and Sultana would impact party success. Whilst some students were convinced that the party would be able to move past these disagreements, another student commented that “you can’t separate a party’s leaders from the party itself,” especially in the foundational stages.
The coming months, building up to the Scottish elections, will prove crucial. Whilst some believe there is space for a fresh left-wing voice to combat the rise of the far-right, it is clear Your Party has many issues and obstacles to tackle before it can live up to its ambitious aims to represent a “new kind of political party.”
“Scottish Parliament, from Salisbury Crags” by Lee Kindness is licensed under CC BY 2.5.