Your Party Faces Membership Portal Conflicts and Refund Issues
Your Party, founded by Jeremy Corbyn, Zarah Sultana, and four other independent MPs to challenge what they describe as a rigged political system, has encountered significant issues with its membership portals. In September, the party launched two conflicting membership portals under different leadership: one led by Zarah Sultana and a second one a week later led by Jeremy Corbyn and other MPs. This led to access problems for members, as the systems cannot communicate with each other.
More than 20,000 people had signed up before the split, and members have been left unable to cancel subscriptions through the new portal or access data and funds via the old one. Subscriptions were set up as recurring card payments rather than direct debits, complicating cancellations and leaving consumers without Direct Debit protections. Some charges reportedly continued despite attempts to stop them.
MOU Operations Ltd administered the membership funds but faced difficulties after their directors were told to process refunds; reportedly, responsibility for donations and member data was thrust upon them without their agreement, leading to the resignation of some directors. Zarah Sultana became the sole director responsible for around £500,000 raised through her portal and claimed that all subscriptions from that portal have been cancelled. She offered refunds to affected subscribers who contact a dedicated email address.
In response, an official statement from Your Party apologized for the unauthorized portal causing serious issues, stating the party had no knowledge of it and that refunds are the responsibility of MOU. As a gesture of goodwill, the party offered three months of free membership to those who joined via Zarah Sultana’s portal.
The situation has generated ongoing frustration among members, including unresponsive emails, lack of local party support, and broader concerns about governance and transparency within Your Party. The incident has highlighted serious challenges in the party’s administrative and financial management amid its efforts to promote membership belonging and challenge the established political system.
