Labour leader Starmer attempts to re-launch his stalled political career as his approval rating slumps to a record low

New Left-Wing Party Emerges as Labour Struggles

In a bid to challenge the government from the left, former Labour politicians Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana are on the hunt for a name for their new party. The shakeup comes amid dire poll ratings and a sluggish economy, as Brits brace for a tax-raising Budget in the autumn.

Keir Starmer, the current Labour leader, has launched a shakeup of his Downing Street team, introducing capital gains on primary property sales and reducing the tax-free pension lump sum as possible tax hikes. Starmer made several appointments yesterday, including moving Darren Jones to the newly-created position of chief secretary to the prime minister.

The latest poll shows Starmer's net approval hit a record low of minus 41, while the new party's central figures, Corbyn and Sultana, have net approval ratings of minus 27 and minus 7, respectively, according to the City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll. A majority of respondents said they had either never heard of Zarah Sultana or did not have an opinion about her.

The Conservatives claimed the changes do not bode well for Rachel Reeves, who is poised to raise at least £20bn in taxes to rebuild her fiscal buffer. Three quarters of voters anticipate tax hikes at the Budget, with increasing duties on alcohol and extending national insurance to rental income received the most support for rumored tax hikes.

Around four in five voters fear that higher taxes would damage the UK economy, while half of Labour voters prefer tax cuts over more spending. The new economic adviser has been recruited, and the party is preparing for its conference season, with Reform UK starting this weekend.

The new party was founded by Corbyn, Sultana, and figures like James Schneider, co-founder of the Momentum campaign platform that supported Corbyn’s Labour leadership. Corbyn and Sultana, both former Labour MPs, are central figures and planned to serve as co-chairs for this left-wing party founded in 2025.

Brits are bracing for a challenging economic landscape, with many hoping that the new party and changes within Labour can help offer a fresh perspective and solutions for the nation's struggles.