Labour politicians tell Corbyn to act on anti-Semitism
GREATER Manchester’s Labour leaders have warned Jeremy Corbyn their party’s ‘failure’ to root out antiSemitism is ‘sending a worrying and dangerous message’ to Jewish people that it doesn’t care about them.
The strongly-worded missive – signed by mayor Andy Burnham, his deputy Beverley Hughes and all nine of the conurbation’s Labour council leaders – describes their ‘immense’ pride at centuries of multi-culturalism in their communities, as well as the way people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds came together in the wake of last year’s Arena attack.
It says they feel ‘compelled’ to write to the Labour leadership about their ‘deep concern’ over growing anti-Semitism within the party’s ranks, arguing ‘it can’t be right’ so many internal investigations into complaints have been allowed to drift.
The letter – leaked to the M.E.N. – has been sent ahead of the local elections on May 3 to the party’s new general secretary, Jennie Formby, copying in Mr Corbyn and all members of the party’s ruling National Executive Committee. It comes as concerns about antiSemitism within the party have boiled over in recent weeks, including a number of demonstrations by Jewish community leaders and Labour members arguing ‘enough is enough.’ Greater Manchester’s own Labour leaders have now stridently backed that sentiment. The letter, dated April 24 and sent from Mr Burnham’s office, reads: “For centuries Greater Manchester has welcomed people of different national origins, faiths, cultures and backgrounds to our area – and we are immensely proud of that. “Just under a year ago, following the horrific attack on the Manchester Arena, we witnessed the coming together of all of those faiths, communities and cultures in denunciation of that cowardly and despicable attack. “Our communities live and work harmoniously together and strive to overcome challenges collectively and peacefully, standing side-byside to condemn racism wherever it Letter form Labour leaders to Jeremy Corbyn occurs and in whatever form it takes.
“The failure of the party to root out growing anti-Semitism within our ranks and to act as swiftly to deal with this form of racism is sending a worrying and dangerous message to the Jewish community that the Labour Party does not care for them as much as it does for others.”
Jeremy Corbyn sat down with Jewish community leaders on Tuesday to discuss the row, which has also seen a number of MPs get to their feet in the House of Commons to list the graphic anti-Semitic abuse they have suffered at the hands of Labour members.
Following the meeting, however, a joint statement from the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council said the Labour leader had failed to turn words into action, describing it as a ‘disappointing missed opportunity.’
Mr Corbyn had not agreed to their specific requests, they said, including a swift resolution to disciplinary cases such as that of Ken Livingstone.
The letter from Greater Manchester’s Labour leaders - who include the leader of Manchester council, Sir Richard Leese, and the strongly proCorbyn Salford council leader Paul Dennett - also questions why investigations into anti-semitism in the party have been allowed to take so long.
“Our party was built on the values of equality and opportunity for all but those values are now being questioned by the failure to act promptly and appropriately,” it says.
“Whilst we welcome your commitment to solving this backlog by employing extra legal resources, it can’t be right that so many investigations into allegations of anti-Semitism remain outstanding or that it can take a year or more for an investigation to conclude.
“We urge you, as the new general secretary, together with the NEC and the Leader of our Party, to condemn all acts of abuse without hesitation and to speed up the processes to deal with such acts. We ask that this letter is circulated to all members of the NEC and we have copied it directly to the leader’s office.”
The letter is signed by Andy Burnham, deputy mayor Baroness Bev Hughes, Sir Richard Leese, Lord Peter Smith, leader of Wigan council, Paul Dennett, Bolton council leader Linda Thomas, Rochdale leader Allen Brett, Oldham council leader Jean Stretton, Stockport leader Alex Ganotis, Brenda Warrington, the leader of Tameside council and Bury council leader Rishi Shori.
Mr Corbyn responded to the antiSemitism row in a column in the Evening Standard on Wednesday, in which he wrote: “We have not done enough to get to grips with the problem, and the Jewish community and our Jewish members deserve an apology. My party and I are sorry for the hurt and distress caused.”