‘Act quickly on hate’, urge Labour members
LABOUR DELEGATES in Vauxhall, south London, have passed a motion expressing “concern at the antisemitism in our movement” and calling for party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Labour’s national executive committee to “act quickly” over the possible expulsion of Ken Livingstone.
The motion on “antisemitism and Ken Livingstone” was discussed at last Thursday’s meeting of Vauxhall’s constituency Labour Party and was passed by a majority of “two to one”, according to sources.
One member told the JC the motion had been sparked by growing concern among activists over the resurgence of growing antiZionism among activists linked to the pro-Corbyn Momentum group.
The source said: “Vauxhall is a constituency with few Jewish members — but a lot of members felt very strongly that it was time to take a strong stance on this issue.
“It was encouraging to see the motion get through, with only maybe half a dozen loud voices speaking out in favour of Ken Livingstone and claiming that the antisemitism allegations within Labour were false.
“The hope is that the call for speedy action to be taken against Ken Livingstone will act as a wake-up call for other Labour CLPs across the country. It’s a clear sign that something can be done to stem the tide of anti-Zionist and often antisemitic opinion among some on the far-left.”
The successful motion read: “Jeremy Corbyn promised a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism; this party expresses concern at the antisemitism in our movement.
“We stand in solidarity with groups such as Jewish Labour, the Holocaust Education Trust, the Chief Rabbi and the Jewish Leadership Council in condemning the actions of Ken Livingstone. “We welcome the decision of the NCC to find him guilty of all counts and welcome Jeremy Corbyn’s decisive leadership to open a new NEC investigation into Mr Livingstone’s recent comments and lack of any contrition.
“The denial and deliberate distortion of the history of the Holocaust is a form of hatred that should revolt all of us on the left. It should never be excused or tolerated.”
The motion also referred to the new investigation into Mr Livingstone, which was revealed by the JC last week.
It stated: “We call upon the CLP Secretary to write to the chair of the NEC and the party leader asking them to act quickly to consider expelling Mr Livingstone to ensure they take antisemitism as seriously as all other forms of racism.”