Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has announced the launch of a new political party aimed at challenging the political and economic elite, marking a major realignment on the British left ahead of the next general election.
A new banner for the disillusioned left
Speaking at a packed rally in north London, Corbyn unveiled the “Peace and Justice Alliance”, a political movement building on the social campaign group he founded after stepping down as Labour leader in 2020. The new party, he said, would offer a “bold, democratic alternative” to what he described as a “political system rigged in favour of the rich and powerful”. Corbyn, now an independent MP for Islington North after being suspended by Labour in 2020, confirmed he will stand under the new party’s banner and called on other disaffected progressives to join.
Policy focus: anti-poverty, climate and public ownership
The party’s platform includes wealth taxes, large-scale investment in green infrastructure, rent controls, and the nationalisation of key utilities and transport. Corbyn argued that mainstream parties have “abandoned the working class” and “capitulated to billionaire interests”. Early supporters include trade unionists, campaigners and several former Labour councillors. The party is expected to target seats in urban areas where left-wing candidates have historically performed strongly, especially among younger and economically insecure voters.
Labour distances itself as election looms
Labour Party officials were quick to dismiss the new formation, stating it posed “no serious electoral threat” and calling it a “vanity project for a failed leadership”. Under Sir Keir Starmer, Labour has moved towards the political centre, focusing on fiscal discipline and business engagement. While Starmer enjoys strong polling nationally, some on the left have accused him of purging the party’s socialist roots. Analysts say Corbyn’s new party could draw votes away from Labour in select constituencies, but is unlikely to significantly alter the national outcome unless it can attract high-profile defectors.
Challenges of breaking through
New parties in the UK face major structural hurdles, including limited media exposure, funding constraints, and a first-past-the-post electoral system that favours established parties. The Peace and Justice Alliance has yet to register formally with the Electoral Commission, but Corbyn’s team confirmed it will field candidates in dozens of constituencies. Early polling data suggests a small but vocal base of support, especially among voters critical of centrist politics and austerity.
A legacy project, or something more?
For Jeremy Corbyn, the move represents both a return to political activism and a direct challenge to what he sees as a hollowing out of democratic representation. Whether his new party can gain lasting traction remains to be seen, but its emergence is likely to reshape discourse on the left and could place pressure on Labour to shore up its progressive flank. As Corbyn declared during his launch speech: “We are here to take on the establishment — not join it.”
REFH – Newshub, 26 July 2025
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