JLM is ‘failing’ to listen to members

As the Jewish Labour Movement prepares to elect a new chair, current incumbent Ivor Caplin is under fire over his approach to Labour Party antisemitism

ONE OF the three candidates seeking to be elected as chair of the Jewish Labour Movement has accused the organisation of “failing” to listen to its members “at this most crucial time”.

In his manifesto, Mike Katz criticised the organisation’s direction under current chair Ivor Caplin, whom he is challenging.

JLM has published the candidates’ manifestos ahead of voting at its AGM on April 7, which followed extraordinary meetings held earlier this month, where members decided to remain affiliated to Labour despite its parliamentary chair, Luciana Berger, quitting the party and saying it was “institutionally antisemitic”.

Describing the “dark times” for Jewish members of Jeremy Corbyn’s party, former Hendon Labour candidate Mr Katz said: “We have always been at our best, and at our boldest, when we listen to our members and harness our talents to achieve our goals.

“When we do this we earn the trust of our community; and deserve the solidarity of our comrades. I’m standing because many of you have told me that recently — at this most crucial time — we’ve failed to do this and we need change.”

Mr Katz wrote that there was a need to “prioritise” fundraising for the cashstrapped organisation, adding there would be “tough decisions on how we engage and work” with Labour.

In his own manifesto, Mr Caplin, who was elected JLM chair last June, said his call for Chris Williamson to lose the whip last August — after the JC’s report from a Momentum meeting in Liverpool attended by the MP — was the start of efforts to sanction the parliamentarian now accused of “Jew-baiting”.

In an admission said to have tak- en many JLM executive members by surprise, Mr Caplin revealed in his manifesto that he had met Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell in addition to Labour General Secretary Jennie Formby.

Mr Caplin dismissed calls for JLM to disaffiliate, writing: “I believe that staying affiliated is important not just to you as our members but also to MPs, councillors and local parties where we affiliate and have a local voice.”

Colin Appleby, another candidate, launched a direct attack on Mr Caplin, whom he called JLM’s “problem”. He then added: “The problem I’m talking about is not the rapid growth of antisemitism in Labour. The problem is the current National Chair Ivor Caplin.”

He referred to Labour’s decision to drop JLM’s antisemitism training sessions for the party, which would now be conducted by Birkbeck College.

Mr Appleby added: “I ask myself if, as is seemingly the case, [Mr Caplin] knew that Labour was going to stop JLM training CLPs before he chaired the EGMs, why he didn’t think it worthy of mentioning. The problem is he won’t stand up to Corbyn, Milne [the Labour leader’s director of communications], Formby.”

Mr Appleby then wrote: “We need a Chair that promises to withdraw all support from the Labour Party. No campaigning for Labour candidates in elections; elected representatives resigning the Whip; clear signals that enough really is enough.”

JLM has also published details motions to be debated at the group’s AGM on April 7 — including two on the current situation with Labour under Mr Corbyn’s leadership.

Motion 4 on Labour antisemitism labels the party “institutionally racist” and accuses Mr Corbyn of “grossly detrimental” behaviour.

Motion 5 is a no confidence motion in Mr Corbyn, which says he is “unfit to be Prime Minister” and that JLM should not campaign for Labour MPs, councillors or candidates who are “not allies in the fight against antisemitism”.

But, tellingly, there is no motion calling for disaffiliation from Labour among the seven that have been tabled.

In a booklet of manifestos and motions published ahead of the AGM, National Secretary Peter Mason outlined his belief that the organisation could grow from 2,500 members to 4,000 by 2022. Mr Mason said he would make it the “top priority” to defeat both “antisemitism and antisemites within the Labour Party.”

Also aiming to secure roles are Cathy Ashley, who has reapplied to be National Treasurer; Adam Langleben, who stands again as NEC/Campaigns Officer; and Sarah Sackman, who is seeking to be National Vice Chair.

Former JLM national director Ella Rose is also standing for the NEC/ Networks Officer role, calling for a strengthening of “links with LGBT Labour, Labour Women’s Network and Disability Labour.”

The problem is the current Chair, Ivor Caplin’