Politics

Kinnock Takes Swipe at Corbyn’s Breakaway Plans with Brutal Dig that Says it all

Published on July 7, 2025

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock has thrown serious shade at Jeremy Corbyn’s talk of forming a new political party, warning that any breakaway on the left would only help the right wing tighten its grip on British politics. In classic Kinnock fashion, he didn’t mince his words, sarcastically suggesting the potential new party should just be called the Farage assistance group.

Pressed on whether this potential movement poses any real threat to Labour, Kinnock couldn’t resist a jab. “I understand they’re having a bit of difficulty over thinking of a name. In a comradely way, I’d suggest one. It would be the Farage assistance group,” he said with a wry smile.

Kinnock’s point was crystal clear. A divided left, he warned, would only benefit the Tories, especially now with Kemi Badenoch rising in the ranks, and Reform UK gaining momentum under Nigel Farage, according to the Express.

He didn’t stop there. “The splintering… offered by a new party of the left… can only be of assistance to the enemies of Labour, of the working-class – the people who have no means of sustaining themselves other than the sale of their labour by hand and by brain – and can only be of benefit to the egos of those who are running such a party.”

Nigel Farage — Photo Credit: Getty Images

Talk of a new party comes just after Corbyn, still banned from standing as a Labour candidate, hinted that “foundations of a new kind” of party are being laid. It’s more than talk now, as Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana has stepped forward to say she’s quitting Labour to help launch this fresh outfit with Corbyn and other independents.

Sultana, who had the Labour whip suspended last year, announced she would “co-lead the founding of a new party” with Corbyn and a group of like-minded MPs and campaigners. The move appears to have caught even some insiders off guard, as there are rumblings that leadership roles and the official timing of the launch hadn’t been fully ironed out when she went public.

Corbyn, staying true to his slow-and-steady approach, took more than 17 hours to release a follow-up statement. When he did speak, he was typically idealistic: “The democratic foundations of a new kind of political party will soon take shape. Discussions are ongoing – and I am excited to work alongside all communities to fight for the future people deserve.”

He praised Sultana, saying she would “help us build a real alternative”.

Not everyone is buying into the optimism. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson didn’t hold back, suggesting that many of those backing the new project had emotionally checked out of Labour a long time ago.

“I think when it comes to the formation of a new party, some of those involved… checked out the Labour Party quite a long time ago,” she said. “Now it’s for them to forge their way forward. But what will determine the next election is whether people really see in their lives, in their families, in their communities, the difference a Labour Government has brought.”

While Corbyn and Sultana talk about reshaping British politics, Kinnock’s warning echoes what many in Labour circles fear most – that this could hand the keys to No.10 back to the right, just when the party seems to be closing in.

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