MEP hopefuls favour a new complaints process
AN OVERWHELMING majority of Labour European election candidates who responded to a survey by the Jewish Labour Movement ahead of Thursday’s vote backed calls for the introduction of a fully independent complaints process for antisemitism cases involving party members.
Only one of the 30 who answered the survey did not back JLM’s call for a new party complaints system to help fix Labour’s long-running crisis over Jew-hate.
JLM chair Mike Katz said: “It’s clear that many of Labour’s MEP candidates understand the scale of Labour’s antisemitism crisis, back IHRA in full and support JLM’s calls for a fully independent complaints process.
“We’ve heard back from two-fifths of candidates, from every electoral region, during a rushed campaign we’ll continue to engage with those candidates who elected, particularly those we haven’t had the chance to talk to before polling day.”
He added JLM had “made it clear that solidarity cuts both ways” and expects Labour politicians “to be loud and proud in backing JLM and our fight against anti-Jewish racism in the party”.
“We’ll continue to hold Labour MPs and candidates publicly accountable Survey: JLM chair Mike Katz
for their deeds as well as their words,” he said.
“Anti-Jewish racism is on the rise across Europe, as well as in our Party and society. Members also called at the AGM for more action to tackle the farright in Eastern Europe; and backed a People’s Vote, to get us out of the mess that is Brexit.”
MEP Seb Dance, one of the most high-profile Labour candidates, wrote to JLM: “I feel so sick about the situation at the moment and, spending most of my time as I do campaigning to improve our party’s stance on Brexit, I can only imagine the terrible things you are batting against.
“JLM have been brilliant in keeping up the fight against racism in the party and I simply do not understand why we have a process that allows people to stand on street corners and say disgusting things about Jewish people, without their membership being immediately suspended.”
The JLM survey, which was emailed to all 60 Labour MEP candidates or to their regional offices, asked four questions: Do you support the full IHRA definition of antisemitism? Do you support calls for Labour to introduce a fully independent complaints process? Will you call out antisemitism wherever it is expressed to combat rising Jew-hatred across Europe? Will you join JLM as an affiliate member?
Among the responses, Rory Palmer an East Midlands candidate, said the party” should introduce such a [independent complaints] system urgently.”
He added: “We are seeing an alarming increase in antisemitism and racism across Europe: we must tackle this urgently and robustly, working with our partners and political colleagues in the European Parliament and if reelected that’s what I will continue to do.”
Alison Hume, a Yorkshire & Humber candidate, said: “I support the work the JLM is doing, and if elected, I would be keen to work with both the JLM and the Jewish Community Organisations across Yorkshire & the Humber, as well with as our fellow socialist MEPs in the European Parliament, to combat the worrying rise in antisemitism in many European countries.”
Clare Moody, a South West candidate, said: “I have and will always stand against discrimination in all its forms and am deeply saddened to see its recent resurgence in so many forms, particularly in the return of what I had thought long out dated stereotypes and tropes.”
David Brennan a North West candidate, indicated he would oppose both JLM’s call for an independent complaints process and would not be joining the organisation as an affiliate member.
In London, Claude Moraes also stated he declined to say whether he would join JLM.