New Party 'Your Party' Will Try to Win Seats in 2026 Scottish Election

A new political group, 'Your Party', has decided to join the 2026 Scottish election. The party, which wants to fight against budget cuts, will try to get its members elected to the Scottish Parliament. This is a new step for the party.
By Newsroom | Politics, Scotland |

A relatively new political entity, "Your Party," has indicated its intention to field candidates in the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections, known as Holyrood elections. This decision, formally voted upon by its members in Dundee, signifies a new entrant into the Scottish political landscape. The party, co-founded by Zarah Sultana and with figures like Jeremy Corbyn associated, aims to present a distinct platform focused on opposing austerity measures. The announcement comes as the political climate in Scotland anticipates significant shifts, with the long-standing SNP government potentially facing a challenge to its tenure.

Political Landscape Prepares for 2026 Contest

The political environment leading up to the 2026 Holyrood elections is marked by established parties assessing their positions and emerging groups signaling their ambitions. The Scottish National Party (SNP), which has governed Scotland for nearly two decades, faces the prospect of either extending its mandate or yielding power. Recent polling from YouGov in January 2026 indicates a dynamic race, with the SNP holding a lead but Reform UK positioned in second place, a significant development for a party of its ideological leaning. Labour's standing in this particular poll is at 15%, a considerable decline from historical performance.

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The electoral contest is expected to involve a range of parties, including the Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Labour, Scottish Greens, and Scottish Liberal Democrats, all of whom are preparing their candidacies. Discussions are also underway regarding policy priorities, with calls from various sectors, including education and business, for specific issues like language teaching to be included in party manifestos.

"Your Party's" Formation and Electoral Aspiration

The move by "Your Party" to contest the 2026 Holyrood elections follows its own foundational processes. Members of the party voted with a considerable majority, 69.8%, in favour of participating. Co-founder Zarah Sultana has been vocal in her critique of the current political direction, stating that Scotland "deserves better than a politics that wears the veneer of progressivism."

Your Party to stand in 2026 Holyrood election - 2

Prior to its formal launch, the party had already garnered significant interest, reportedly signing up 800,000 people across the UK. Plans for the party's organization are in progress, including draft constitution proposals and leadership contests. Jeremy Corbyn, an Independent MP in Westminster, has publicly expressed his belief that "Your Party will stand candidates in Holyrood 2026." The party's strategy appears to involve maximizing candidate selection, with a view to participating in other elections scheduled for the same day in England and Wales.

Key Actors and Electoral Dynamics

The political arena in Scotland for the 2026 elections is shaped by several key entities:

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  • Scottish National Party (SNP): The incumbent governing party, seeking a fifth term. Current polling suggests they maintain a lead, though the landscape appears competitive.

  • Reform UK: Appears to be gaining traction, potentially securing second place in recent voting intention polls, which would mark a significant electoral achievement for the party.

  • Labour: Facing a noted decline in projected support in the early 2026 polls, with questions arising about voter retention. Candidate selections for Labour have been underway since late 2025.

  • Scottish Greens, Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Liberal Democrats: These parties are also active in candidate selection and campaign preparation for the upcoming elections.

  • "Your Party": A newer organization seeking to establish a presence by contesting the Holyrood elections on an anti-austerity platform.

Emerging Political Platforms

"Your Party" has articulated a clear stance against austerity. Zarah Sultana has described the party's platform as the "socialist position" to "oppose cuts." This suggests a focus on public services and social welfare programs. The specific details of their policy proposals for the Scottish context are expected to be developed as candidate selection and policy formation processes commence, reportedly beginning as early as the week following their Dundee conference.

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In contrast, other parties are addressing a broader range of issues. For instance, there are calls for an "urgent review of languages in schools," indicating a focus on education policy that experts are urging parties to adopt. The dynamics of the 2024 general election and major referendums of the past decade are also noted as continuing to influence voting intentions.

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Observations on Electoral Prospects

The path for "Your Party" to establish itself in the Scottish Parliament appears challenging, given the established presence of other parties and the specific voting dynamics observed in recent polls. The party's ability to mobilize its claimed supporter base and effectively present its platform will be crucial. The stated intention to "maximise the number of candidates" suggests a strategy of broad participation rather than a concentrated focus on specific seats.

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The timing of candidate selection and policy finalization is key, with processes expected to begin imminently. The success of such an endeavor is often predicated on organizational capacity and public engagement. The political discourse leading up to May 2026 will likely involve comparisons of "Your Party's" platform against those of established parties, particularly concerning economic policy and social spending.

Conclusion

The decision of "Your Party" to contest the 2026 Holyrood elections marks a significant development, introducing a new contender with an explicit anti-austerity agenda. The party's organizational foundations are being laid, with internal votes supporting this electoral bid and stated intentions to field a broad slate of candidates. This move occurs within a complex Scottish political environment, where established parties are vying for influence, and recent polling indicates shifts in voter preferences, notably with Reform UK emerging as a strong contender. The success of "Your Party" will depend on its ability to translate its stated principles into tangible political support and effectively differentiate itself from other political actors in Scotland.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is 'Your Party'?
'Your Party' is a new political group that wants to fight against budget cuts.
Q: Will 'Your Party' be in the 2026 Scottish election?
Yes, the party members voted to put forward candidates for the election.
Q: Who is behind 'Your Party'?
Zarah Sultana is a co-founder, and Jeremy Corbyn has said he thinks the party will stand candidates.