Zarah Sultana has announced she is quitting the Labour Party and starting a new political party alongside Jeremy Corbyn.
Announcing the move on social media, the independent MP argued that “Westminster is broken” and claimed the major parties are fighting for billionaires, declaring an alternative is needed.
She included a link for people interested in joining her new endeavour to sign up for updates and to give donations as she looks to get her new movement off the ground.
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But how easy is it to start a new political party? Let’s explore the process.
What is needed to set up a new political party?
Political parties are governed by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA), which means any new entity must meet certain criteria.
The body that regulates political parties is the Electoral Commission, and it ultimately decides if any new party can be registered in order to stand candidates for election.
Short-lived anti-Brexit party Change UK launched in 2019. Pic: PA
All new parties must have a constitution that sets out the structure and organisation of the party. The Electoral Commission says it should “set out the arrangements for your party’s governance and the rules for carrying out its business”, although there is no set format.
Every party must have people registered in certain roles – party leader, party treasurer, and nominating officer. A minimum of two people is needed to fill the three roles, which are statutory roles with legal responsibilities.
A copy of the party’s financial scheme must also be provided, describing the party’s processes for compliance with electoral finance laws, such as declarations around donations.
All of that documentation, along with the new party’s proposed name, emblem/logo, and a non-refundable £150 fee must be sent to the Electoral Commission, which will ensure the application complies with the law before granting approval.
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What are the restrictions around setting up a new political party?
All new parties must meet the minimum requirements above, and they also must comply with rules governing party names and emblems/logos.
The name of a new party cannot be too similar to that of an existing one to avoid confusing or misleading voters when they are looking at ballot papers in the voting booth.
The design of a logo or emblem must include a design element, and also cannot be too similar to an existing party’s. Multiple varieties can be submitted.
Nigel Farage and Richard Tice founded the Brexit Party in 2018, which then became Reform UK. Pic: PA
Can anyone launch a new political party?
Yes, is the short answer. Two people can join forces to start a party and stand candidates in parliamentary and local elections.
The party treasurer cannot have been convicted of any election offences in the previous five years, and neither can the officer responsible for reporting donations and spending at general elections.
How long does it take to set up a new political party?
There is no public timeline for the Electoral Commission to confirm the registration of a new party.
However, the party logo/emblem is subject to public comment and consultation, and the regulator needs to verify and approve the information submitted as part of the application.
