Independent Muslim MP who helped found Jeremy Corbyn’s new left-wing Your Party has quit, citing a “toxic” internal culture and hostility toward “Muslim men.”
Adnan Hussain, the MP for Blackburn, said he would be “stepping away” from the steering group of the movement.
He accused the fledgling organisation of exhibiting “clique-like behaviour,” “gatekeeping,” and becoming “dominated by persistent infighting.”
In a detailed statement on X, Hussain said the party had strayed far from the inclusive, broad-based political vision he was promised.
“When I agreed to take part, I did so because I believed in the vision of a genuinely broad church: a pluralistic, inclusive political space capable of representing the people who have long been left behind by the mainstream parties.
“I believed in a movement that welcomed diversity of background and thought: including working-class communities, like my own constituency, people of faith, and those who may be socially conservative yet economically left-leaning, while holding firm to a commitment to equality, justice, and anti-racism.
“Regrettably, the reality I encountered has been far from this vision. The culture surrounding the party has become dominated by persistent infighting, factional competition, and a struggle for power, position and influence rather than a shared commitment to the common good. Instead of openness, cooperation and outward focus, the environment has too often felt toxic, exclusionary and deeply disheartening.”
Hussain also said he had become “deeply troubled” by how some members of the steering group spoke about Muslim men, suggesting the rhetoric mirrored prejudices traditionally associated with the political right.
“At times the rhetoric used has been disturbingly similar to the very political forces the left claims to oppose. I witnessed insinuations about capability, dismissive attitudes and language that carried, at the very least, veiled prejudice,” he said.
Exclusion not pluralism?
Hussain’s departure follows weeks of internal tension. In September, co-founder Zara Sultana faced criticism after saying there was no room in the new party for “socially conservative views.”
The comments were widely interpreted as a swipe at Hussain and other conservative-leaning Muslims.
Hussain has since pointed out that others involved in the party hold socially conservative positions, including on transgender issues, without facing similar scrutiny.
His resignation comes amid wider turmoil inside the new movement, including disputes over membership fees, donations, and reports of a power struggle between Corbyn and Sultana.
Before stepping down, Hussain had joined four other MPs in signing a letter criticising Sultana for failing to hand over an estimated £800,000 in donations to Your Party, funds currently held by a company she controls.
The statement — signed by Jeremy Corbyn, Shockat Adam MP, Adnan Hussain MP, Ayoub Khan MP and Iqbal Mohamed MP — said hundreds of thousands of pounds donated “in good faith” had “remained beyond [the party’s] reach,” calling the situation “extremely frustrating and disheartening.”
Last week, Sultana transferred an initial £200,000, stating that further instalments would follow. But the five MPs said the payment was “insufficient” and vowed to pursue immediate recovery of the remaining funds.
A spokesperson for Sultana said: “Zarah is working to transfer all funds and data held by MOU Operations Ltd to Your Party. As sole director, she is legally responsible for ensuring the company’s costs, liabilities and expenses are settled, and this process may take some time.”
Image credit: Adnan Hussain ©House of Commons/Laurie Noble
