Phillips turns fire on frontbench rivals for anti-Semitism failure
Backbench candidate for Labour leadership accuses shadow cabinet trio of hypocrisy over scandal
THREE frontbench candidates for the Labour leadership were yesterday accused of hypocrisy over anti-Semitism by backbencher Jess Phillips.
Confronting the three shadow cabinet ministers vying with her to replace Jeremy Corbyn, the Birmingham Yardley MP claimed that despite their tough rhetoric on anti-Semitism now, they failed to adequately confront the issue before the start of the leadership race.
The 38-year-old, dubbed the “wild card” of the contest, threw down the gauntlet during the first Labour membership hustings in Liverpool, claiming that she was the only candidate who would “terrify” Boris Johnson.
Her harshest criticism was directed at Rebecca Long-Bailey, the pro-Corbyn favourite. But Ms Long-Bailey appeared to emerge on top, receiving the loudest applause as she vowed to take on the establishment and distribute power away from London.
The shadow business secretary was joined by Lisa Nandy, who called on Labour to move its headquarters outside London.
Ms Long-Bailey also won plaudits for calling for an end to the factionalism that plagued Mr Corbyn’ s leadership.
Her comments were echoed by Sir Keir Starmer, her closest rival, who said there had been “too much division” and claimed that Labour was “unstoppable when we are united”.
Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, said Labour needed a “battle-hardened leader”, warning that they were competing for the “worst job in the world”.
All five candidates pledged to tackle the anti-Semitism crisis, with Ms Long-Bailey saying she wanted to establish the “gold standard” in dealing with complaints in order to “reset” relations with the Jewish community.
Describing Labour as the party of telegraph.co.uk/ brexitbulletin
“Ralph Miliband”, the Jewish Marxist and father to Ed and David Miliband, she called for members to be educated in order to stamp out “conspiracy theories” and “smears”.
Responding, Ms Phillips said Jewish people had been scared of Labour winning the election and the party had now lost “the credibility” to carry on dealing with complaints internally.
She added that while she had been struggling for an independent system, “I don’t remember some of the people here being in that particular room or being in those particular fights”.
Echoing her comments, fellow backbench candidate Lisa Nandy said there had been a “collective failure of leadership” in the shadow cabinet.
Ms Thornberry said Labour needed to drive anti-Semites out, adding: “I tell you what Jess, I have always been clear about it and I always will because it’s unacceptable, it undermines us as a party and undermines our soul.”
Sir Keir, the shadow Brexit secretary, told members if they were antiSemitic “you shouldn’t be in the Labour Party”, adding that if elected he would demand a report on his desk every week until the problem was eradicated.
Ms Phillips also challenged the other candidates’ claims that they could beat Mr Johnson and the Conservatives. “We have to start talking to people’s hearts … in a message and language that is very clear, because that is what Boris Johnson does,” she said.
Turning to Labour’s flagship election pledge to deliver free full-fibre broadband – which Ms Long-Bailey helped launch – Ms Phillips said Labour had got its priorities wrong.
She also appeared to ridicule Ms Long-Bailey over her call to replace the Lords with an elected senate, saying: “No one talks … about wanting this senate or that senate, we have to start talking like people actually talk about the things they actually talk about.”
The hustings for the role of deputy leader saw Ian Murray, Labour’s only Scottish MP, attempt to close the gap on Angela Rayner, the shadow education secretary and clear favourite.
Joining them were Richard Burgon, the shadow justice secretary, Rosena Allin-Khan, a shadow sports minister, and Dawn Butler, the shadow minister for equalities.