What does a new party mean for Scotland?

'Big news in small circles' might summarise the UK mainstream media’s description of Zarah Sultana's announcement of a new left party. The coverage took some joy from the fumbled launch of the new entity in which Jeremy Corbyn will play a central role. But the opinion poll forecasts that put the new party on 10% of the UK may be afforded some attention.  

There has been some knowledge of preparatory discussions for some time. Sultana's exit from the Labour Party and internal manoeuvring has quickened the pace of things. The majority of these dynamics are shaped by tactical considerations south of the border. Our view would be that limited consideration of Scotland has taken place in this attempt to get a left of Labour electoral challenge up and running. 

But in Scotland, amongst those increasingly dismayed and disappointed with Starmer’s first year, there have been discussions. Various gatherings have considered the need for electoral candidates to the left of the Labour Party. Chief amongst these have been Collective Scotland’s deliberations. 

This weekend's Collective Scotland’s statement opens with: As the left across Britain comes together to form a new political party, the Scottish left now has the opportunity to unite. No doubt careful consideration will have been given to the wording of the rapidly produced call to others. Those involved will have reflected on the crowded Scottish electoral landscape, the timetable of elections and the varying voting systems involved. 

Stagnation within the Scottish Government, ‘a hollowed out Labour Party' and the rise of the right and Reform are Collective's stated motivations. Connections with social movements and other groupings on the Scottish left are objectives. A forthcoming conference on October 4th will look forward to the 2026 Holyrood and 2027 local elections. Ahead of this Laura Webster, editor of The National, gives thoughtful consideration to the new party’s prospects. 

Whilst the autonomy of Collective Scotland's, as yet, unnamed project has been asserted, clarity on its position on independence or the right for the Scottish Parliament to call for a referendum is yet to fully emerge. Detailed policy discussions and its view on the centrality of class will no doubt engender lively debate. Thought on building a social base prior to contesting may also be considered. Who will be included in the party and who not will also be an issue to contend with. 

Getting off the ground might mean speaking with the established, if electorally limited, Scottish Socialist Party. It could also mean finding a distinct constituency from the Greens.

Whilst the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition appear to be on board will they subsume their own brand to allow the space for the new project to emerge? Will there be consideration to varying approaches to standing, or not, in differing political geographies of Scotland?

We do need a politics to the left of what Starmer is delivering. The degree to which the SNP and separately the Scottish Greens can meaningfully provide this without considerable adjustment on their part is debatable. Scottish Labour have manoeuvred the Labour left out of any significant influence on the party for the time being. Thus creating a policy agenda that influences all the centre left parties is important, however difficult. Creating a plural culture of the left in Scotland is essential to generating a groundswell for progress. 

Political parties, established and emerging, have a job on their hands. More and more people are in danger of disengaging completely from politics in a world where influence over the destruction of community, society and the environment appears unstoppable. Not for the first time on this website it has been echoed that there is more to politics than parties. But they remain potentially important. And there is just about time for them to articulate that importance. But candidates and the organisations that put them forward at the forthcoming elections need to ensure lived connections to communities and workforces if they are to gain votes and make a difference.

Published 7 July 2025