Introducing the Hastings People’s Party
HIP recently broke the news that Hastings’ activists had set up a local political party in advance of the launch of the new national party, currently called ‘Your Party’. Members LEAH LEVANE and KAY GREEN report on its progress.
Hastings People’s Party members at the Protestival for communities against developers
The members of Hastings New Left Party voted to become the Hastings People’s Party. The last general meeting set up the most democratic process we could work out to decide between the ten names Hastings people suggested. We wanted to stay true to the principles of a democratic, member-led, grassroots party.
Why did we need to choose a name now, when there will be a new national party shortly (the one currently known as ‘Your Party’)? Here in Hastings, a group came together back in the spring, acknowledging a local need for something better than what was on offer in recent local and national elections. The national movement has now topped a million members, and the local group is growing. We needed a distinct name to open a bank account, be active on social media, and design and agree on colours and logos, as has been done in other areas, such as Harrow, where Jeremy Corbyn spoke at the launch of their local group: ‘Arise’.
The Hastings People’s Party already has a number of working groups and, since May, has monthly face-to-face meetings where all those who’ve signed up are encouraged to join existing projects and/or start new ones, and an online admin and organising meeting in between.
Currently, we have groups active on the following:
Campaigns: currently focused on Housing and Disability Access, but any members can present a local issue they consider important and suggest a campaign to take it further; Communications: planning and building social media, press and other forms of information output; Education and Training: both campaign training and political education, such as Left in the Cinema, a film and discussion group held on Wednesdays; Finance and Fundraising; the Organising Group; Outreach, Socials and Youth Outreach.
Members are committed to grassroots work, including direct action where needed, for example, to support people at risk of eviction. Outreach has included stalls at local events, such as Hidden Beach Antiracism and a pop-up at a supermarket. We are committed to working alongside existing campaigns and organisations such as ACORN and Trade Union branches. Members are also active in national campaigns, and our regular mailings to members include upcoming political and community events, local and national actions, for example, for Palestine, vigils and meetings by other organisations, such as those fighting racism.
Next steps
There will be a meeting on 30 September where we will hear from Andrew Feinstein about what is happening nationally, as well as updates from local campaigners. Hastings People’s Party is working on this with the local Hastings Independent Group councillors, who have also announced they are joining Your Party.
The working groups will continue their projects, and we are planning a specific project regarding local access to GPs. If you have had difficulty speaking with your GP or accessing other essential healthcare services, please get in touch.
Left in the Cinema
The next Left in the Cinema film and discussion will be on 17 September, and it will be Santiago Rising, which premiered in Hastings. Venue tbc.
The next full members’ meeting will be on Sunday 28 September, 6-8pm New members will be welcome. You can join by signing up at tinyurl.com/HastingsPeoplesParty or emailing [email protected]
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So are they not joining ’Your Party?’
I don’t think Leah and Kay would be welcome, Your Party is going to be pro trans rights. Leah was thrown off a pride march because of her online bigotry and Kay fell out with the Green’s, Labour and the Unions because she couldn’t convince anyone locally that she was right.
“Trans rights are human rights, Your Party will defend them. No ifs, no buts, and I won’t let anyone get in the way of this fight.”
Zarah Sultana September 2025 on X.
“I am really saddened by the level of vitriol and hatred being directed toward the trans community.
We are losing our common humanity. How hard is it to treat people with kindness and respect?
Trans people are human beings — and they deserve to live in dignity.”
Jeremy Corbyn April 2025 on X.
“The ‘trans rights’ movement is violent, it is divisive, it is misogynistic and it is driving women away from the socialist movement we all need. It is not remotely in line with what British people want.”
“ they can and must learn to take their lead from socialism, not from trans lobby groups whose aim is to destroy women’s sex-based rights supposedly for the sake of trans people.”
Kay Green August 2025
Is this what this Hastings Party will be about? People accused of bigotry who can’t join Your Party forming their own ‘Peoples Front of Judea?’ The same people who used to think there was a right wing in Momentum?