The Breakthrough Party was a minor political party in the United Kingdom. The party described itself as a "new home for those determined to disrupt the failed status quo and build an alternative: a society that uses its considerable wealth to provide dignity, security and justice for all".[4] The party's constitution declared it to be a democratic socialist party.[5] It was registered with the Electoral Commission in January 2021.[1] In December 2023, the party announced that it will be dissolving and merging into Transform.[6]
On 15 May 2022, Oscar Wolf was appointed deputy leader of the party after elections triggered by the resignation of Sherilyn Wileman.[10]
In mid August the party released their manifesto,[11] covering a broad range of policy aims in community, democracy, economy, education, environment, equality, foreign policy, health, housing, immigration, independent living, justice, media, culture and sport, transport and work. The manifesto, titled a "minifesto" stated in its foreword "Our aim is simple: to offer a genuine alternative in a political landscape which is lurching further rightwards."
Towards the end of July 2023, a left-wing political party merger between Breakthrough, Left Unity, People's Alliance of the Left and Liverpool Community Independents under the name "Transform" was proposed.[12][13] It was proposed in response to "an era of crisis" which the party merger proposal claims to be "a political organisation that offers a real solution" to. The party merger proposal also has 10 "core principles". If put forward, 5 left-wing parties will be merged.
Elections and elected representatives
The party's first appearance on a ballot paper was in the 2021 Chesham and Amersham by-election, when Carla Gregory,[14][15] a charity worker from the local area, stood. She received 197 votes, which represents 0.5 per cent of the vote.[16]
On 8 March 2022, two borough councillors, Veena Siva and Jenny Vinson, originally elected for Labour on Spelthorne Borough Council had defected to the party, giving Breakthrough its first representation on a principal authority.[17]
On 19 April 2023, the party claimed that it had gained its eighth councillor.[22] It was reported in the Wharfedale Observer on 25 April 2023 that the party has seven councillors in England.[3] According to Open Council Data UK, none of these councillors belong to principle authorities.[23]
On 24 July 2023, the Breakthrough Party, alongside Left Unity, the Liverpool Community Independents, and the People's Alliance of the Left issued a joint statement calling for a "new party of the left" in Britain.[26] Citing Labour Party support for policies such as the two-child benefit cap and tuition fees, as well as Labour leader, Keir Starmer's refusal to publicly support striking workers.[27] The group, calling themselves Transform, urged those who agree with their core principles to "move rapidly towards founding a new party of the left."[citation needed]
^"Local Elections 2022". Carmarthenshire County Council. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^"St. Goran Parish Councillor joins Breakthrough". breakthroughparty.org.uk. Breakthrough Party. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024. Breakthrough has continued to expand its presence in local government, with Talan becoming the Party's eighth sitting councillor.
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