In an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen, former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn announced the formation of a new political party and set out its initial platform, organizational plans, and international stance. Speaking from London, Corbyn described a movement rooted in community organizing and “social justice at home and peace abroad,” while sharply criticizing the British government’s domestic agenda and the UK’s role in ongoing conflicts, particularly in Palestine.

Launching a New Party

Corbyn said he and allies, including MP Zarah Sultana, have established a new party framework, initially referred to as “Your Party” as a working title. He said the name could change at a founding congress scheduled for later this year. “What we’ve done is offered a very simple platform program,” he told Al Mayadeen, listing four pillars: peace, including “no arms to Israel, no connivance in the genocide that’s taking place”; economic justice; social justice; and environmental sustainability. Above all, he said, the party will be community-based and democratic, organized from the grassroots up.

Speaking to #AlMayadeen, Jeremy Corbyn discusses the creation of his new grassroots political movement, provisionally called Your Party.

He outlines its core principles: peace and no arms to "Israel", economic and social justice, protection of the vulnerable, and environmental… pic.twitter.com/mds3D9vQW0

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 22, 2025

He contrasted this approach with what he called the top‑down discipline inside Labour under Keir Starmer. Corbyn said Labour once reached 600,000 members during his leadership but has since contracted, while internal rules allowed the leadership to suspend or expel members and even deem him “not fit to hold public office”, despite more than four decades as an MP. He argued that such centralization led to damaging policy choices, including votes to cut benefits for people with profound disabilities.

Corbyn said Britain’s governing parties are now proposing sharp increases in military spending, to over 4% of GDP, eventually rising to 5%, alongside a new generation of nuclear weapons, while seeking savings of £5 billion from disability support. He called those priorities “entirely wrong,” saying his project will instead be “absolutely rooted in our communities” and will oppose far‑right narratives that blame asylum seekers for social problems.

He reiterated commitments to social justice and economic fairness. He emphasized protecting disability benefits, reviewing social security to address child poverty, and prioritizing public ownership of essential services such as water and energy, and spoke about strengthening workers’ rights and sectoral pay agreements while investing in housing, healthcare, education, and green infrastructure.

Organization, Membership, and Timeline

Corbyn said the new movement will hold a founding conference “probably in November,” at which members will finalize the party’s name, democratic structures, and policy framework. He emphasized local autonomy, with branches encouraged to work alongside unions, community groups, students’ bodies, and social movements. “Any party to be successful has to be a social movement that’s very close to people,” he said, calling the project “more than we expected” in early engagement.

He said around 800,000 people have signed up online to register interest, with some making recurring donations ahead of formal membership opening. Corbyn estimated that once registration is complete, the new party could have membership on a par with, or larger than, existing parties. He noted Labour still claims to be the largest party but said he believes its active membership is “somewhere between 200,000 and 250,000.”

Looking ahead, Corbyn said the party will contest local elections next May across England, Wales, and Scotland, and build toward a possible general election in 2028 or 2029. He cited the recent wave of independent councillors elected across the country as evidence of appetite for alternatives and said his party will cooperate pragmatically with Greens, Plaid Cymru (the Welsh national party), and the Scottish National Party on shared priorities such as disability rights.

Domestic Agenda: Poverty, Services, and Rights

Outlining his domestic priorities, Corbyn said Britain is facing deep poverty, debt, a youth mental‑health crisis, and a housing emergency. He called for no cuts to disability benefits and for a national program to reduce child poverty.

He linked his social policy to wider questions of public ownership and workers’ rights, citing previous work with former shadow chancellor John McDonnell on anti‑austerity plans, public ownership of basic utilities like water and energy, and an investment strategy to rebalance the economy.

Corbyn said the party will campaign for affordable housing, secure work, properly funded education and health, and environmental sustainability. He criticized far‑right rhetoric that targets refugees and asylum seekers, citing recent protests outside hotels and attacks he linked to Nigel Farage and allied groups. “We will never do that,” he said. “We believe in human rights and justice, not just in our country, but around the world.”

Labour Years, Expulsion, and Return as an Independent MP

Corbyn reflected on his time leading Labour, describing 2017 as delivering “the highest vote this century for Labour.” He acknowledged losing in 2019 but noted that Labour under his leadership received more votes than Starmer did in winning 2024, a point he cited to argue that his program attracted mass support.

He recounted the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigation into antisemitism within Labour, saying he welcomed the report and accepted its recommendations, while also stating that cases were “much exaggerated” and used for political purposes. Following those comments, he was suspended, later reinstated as a member but not readmitted to the parliamentary party.

Corbyn said his local Labour organization in Islington North was barred from selecting its preferred candidate, and he was deselected from standing for Labour. On “the advice of many people in my community,” he ran as an independent and won by a large majority. “A year later, we formed a new party,” he told Al Mayadeen, adding that more than 200,000 people have left Labour in recent years and that many have since joined the new initiative.

Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn strongly denied accusations of anti-Semitism, calling the claims “disgusting” and politically motivated. He acknowledged issues within Labour but said the number of cases was greatly exaggerated and welcomed the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report.

Corbyn recounted his suspension from the party and the parliamentary caucus, noting that his local Labour organization blocked his candidacy. Following advice from his community, he ran as an independent, winning with a large majority. A year later, he and his supporters launched a new party, citing widespread dissatisfaction with Labour, with over 200,000 former members reportedly joining the new initiative.

In an exclusive interview with #AlMayadeen, Jeremy Corbyn reflects on the accusations of anti-Semitism that led to his suspension from the Labour Party.

He stresses that “one anti-Semite in the #LabourParty is one too many,” but argues the scale of cases was exaggerated to… pic.twitter.com/fkCdxy1fl6

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 22, 2025

International Landscape and Rise of the Left

Corbyn argued that Britain’s political realignment forms part of a wider trend. He cited Democratic Socialists of America within the US Democratic Party, the left alliance in France, the Workers’ Party in Belgium, and Die Linke in Germany, which he said is “growing very rapidly” after internal difficulties. He warned of the rise of the far right across Europe and said concessions to those forces by social‑democratic leaders only “open the door” further.

“We’re going to be a strong force in the community,” Corbyn said, pledging cooperation with like‑minded parties where necessary. He described community‑based politics as “the way forward,” pointing to sign‑up numbers as evidence of “quite a thirst” for a left‑wing alternative.

Corbyn affirmed that he will not apologize for standing for socialism and social justice. He cited Karl Marx as a major influence and described social change as a long-term process beginning with trade-union organizing and community mobilization. He framed his new party as a continuation of these efforts, but operating outside the Labour Party.

He reflected on his experiences as Labour leader, including media hostility and political attacks, asserting that attempts to marginalize him had not stopped the growth of a popular movement.

Wars, Militarization, and a Call for Ceasefires

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Corbyn said the world is witnessing wars in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, and Burma, as well as smaller conflicts elsewhere, amid an arms industry spanning Western Europe, North America, Russia, China, and India. He cited global military expenditure of about $2.4 trillion last year, calling it public money that could be spent on housing, health, and education.

In his interview with #AlMayadeen, Jeremy Corbyn denounces the global arms race, noting that $2.4 trillion in public funds were spent on weapons last year instead of essential services like housing, health, and education.

He reflects on missed opportunities for peace after the… pic.twitter.com/eDuHIK9BPO

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 22, 2025

He argued that the post‑Cold War period initially offered a chance for long‑term peace, with reductions in US and UK arms spending after 1989, but said commercial pressures to sell arms, followed by the Gulf War and Iraq War, reversed the trend. He linked some conflicts to a “thirst for minerals,” and said the war in Gaza and the West Bank is about Israeli expansion and control of Palestine.

On Ukraine, Corbyn said he does not support Russia’s invasion and called for an immediate ceasefire followed by “serious and rational discussions” on future relations and the status of Donbas. He said such a ceasefire “could have happened three years ago, could have happened two years ago,” alleging that then‑UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson intervened to prevent one.

Gaza, the West Bank, and Corbyn’s Palestine Position

Corbyn devoted substantial time to Palestine, describing televised images of starvation, bombed schools and hospitals, mutilation, and hopelessness as a disgrace to the international community. He said history would be “brutal” toward politicians who continued to arm "Israel" and facilitate surveillance and logistics, citing the use of RAF Akrotiri as a surveillance base. “It’s beyond disgusting what’s happened,” he said.

In his interview with #AlMayadeen, Jeremy Corbyn condemns the starvation of children, the bombing of schools and hospitals, and the mutilation of civilians in #Gaza, calling it a disgrace enabled by arms sales and political complicity.

He warns that history will harshly judge… pic.twitter.com/6ahu9c03Wf

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 22, 2025

He attended proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and praised the case presented by South Africa, saying he supports efforts by the Progressive International’s Hague Group to back the ICJ and International Criminal Court (ICC) processes.

Corbyn called for an immediate ceasefire, saying he understood that Hamas had been prepared to agree to one earlier in the week, and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to obstruct talks so that aid can enter Gaza. He warned that the psychological scars among survivors will last a lifetime and that poverty, rubble, and hatred will persist without a political settlement.

Corbyn accused "Israel" of attempting to push Palestinians into Egypt’s Sinai to create a “new Gaza Strip” and demanded a withdrawal of all Israeli occupying forces, not only from Gaza but also from the West Bank. He said repeated visits to the territories had shown him the psychological burden of lifelong occupation. “If we want peace in the Middle East, it has to be by the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestine,” he said.

Role of the United States and Western Allies

Asked who was standing in the way of stopping the war, Corbyn accused Western governments, primarily the United States, of enabling "Israel's" ongoing war on Gaza. He emphasized that while the government of Benjamin Netanyahu is the face of the aggression, it is Washington that provides the political, economic, and military cover, allowing "Israel" to continue.

“President Trump is providing the support and cover,” Corbyn said, adding that "Israel" could not operate F-35 fighter jets without components manufactured in the UK and elsewhere. He criticized the US narrative of "Israel" being under constant threat, which he argued is used to justify extensive arms support.

Corbyn also called attention to the role of Western European countries in arming the occupation. “They are really the culprits,” he said.

Independent Inquiry on UK Policy in Palestine

Corbyn said he has introduced legislation in Parliament to establish an independent public inquiry into British policy regarding Gaza and the West Bank. The legislation passed its first stage but was blocked at the second stage by the government.

In response, Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project is organizing a two-day independent public inquiry in London on September 4–5. The inquiry will be held both online and in person, and it will take evidence from military and legal experts as well as witnesses from Gaza and the West Bank.

Corbyn compared this effort to the Chilcot Inquiry after the Iraq War, noting that although it is not an official government inquiry, it aims to understand how British policy developed over time.

Corbyn also highlighted ongoing national demonstrations, stating that 27 have been held so far, with another planned for September 6. He emphasized that the project seeks to build public awareness and pressure the government to reconsider its policies toward Palestine.

He cited international efforts through the Hague Group, mentioning a meeting held in Bogotá in July with countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Colombia, which he said are part of building support for ICJ and ICC judgments.

Recognition of Palestine and Immediate Relief

Corbyn stressed that political recognition of Palestine by European countries is a positive step, but insufficient without practical measures on the ground. He called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the West Bank, the delivery of UN-led humanitarian aid, and the establishment of conditions that allow Palestinians to decide their own future.

Corbyn condemned any plans to displace Palestinians to the Sinai, describing such efforts as attempts to create a “new Gaza Strip.”

He also noted that global public opinion is influencing Western governments to reconsider military support for "Israel". Corbyn called for sanctions, halting arms sales, and support for international legal processes. 

A message to Donald Trump

In a pointed message during his interview with Al Mayadeen, Corbyn urged US President Donald Trump to “study history,” particularly the roots of the Palestinian struggle.

Referencing the 1948 Nakba, Corbyn said: “The Nakba was when the Palestinian people were driven out of their homes in order for the state of Israel to be established with fewer Palestinian people in it.”

He accused "Israel" of continuing that project through the occupation of Gaza, which he said reflects a broader aim to displace the entire Palestinian population.

Addressing Trump directly, Corbyn added, “Do you really want that? I’m sure you don’t.” He suggested he would be willing to educate the former president with “30-second sound bites of history” to help him better understand the consequences of supporting "Israel’s" actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

Health, Motivation, and Continuing Work

Corbyn described himself as healthy and motivated to continue his work. He emphasized his passion for working with people to transform their lives and societies, noting that creative and community engagement keep him energized.

His immediate priorities include finalizing party registration, opening membership, holding the founding congress, and scaling up local campaigning ahead of the May local elections. Looking toward the next general election, expected in 2028 or 2029, Corbyn emphasized building capacity steadily rather than seeking short-term gains.

Nuclear Weapons and Global Security

Corbyn condemned nuclear weapons as an “evil abomination,” citing his visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He stressed the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any nuclear detonation and expressed support for the global nuclear ban movement and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

He highlighted that 70 nations have ratified the Nuclear Ban Treaty, and he aims to expand support for its goals worldwide.

Germany’s Reconsideration of Support for 'Israel'

Corbyn noted that Germany, which until now had been uncritically supportive of "Israel" under all circumstances, is now reconsidering its stance. “Germany… is now reconsidering all of that, reconsidering the whole question of supplies and arms and trade and deals,” he said, attributing the shift to global public opinion.

He emphasized the moral weight of international awareness, warning, “Don’t underestimate how revolted people are by the sights they’re seeing of deliberate acts of genocide against the Palestinian people.”

He called for decisive action to end the occupation: “Let’s do everything we can to bring about the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the West Bank and the Jordan Valley. And so allow the Palestinian people some peace and some opportunity to develop.”

Corbyn stressed personal responsibility, questioning those who do nothing: “How are they going to look themselves in the mirror when they know they could have done something to try to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people?”

Conclusion and Hope for International Action

Corbyn expressed cautious optimism that the crisis could be addressed through global pressure. “Yes, I do. I see hope of putting an end to it through the demands on sanctions, through the curtailment of arms supplies, and through the support of other people around the world,” he said.

At the same time, he stressed that meaningful change requires stronger measures by governments in the region.

“It does mean that there has to be much stronger action and attitudes taken by neighboring governments to Palestine all around. And that means there has to be much stronger sanctions against Israel. And there has to be much more political support given to the Palestinian people by all the governments in the region.”