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Jess Phillips: Labour has caused Jews huge pain. Help me ensure we're never in that position again

The leadership contender sets out her stall in the JC

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Labour Party MP Jess Phillips speaks to the media outside the BBC Broadcasting House in central London after appearing on The Andrew Marr Show on 05 January, 2020 in London, England. Jess Phillips declared her candidacy in the race for Labour Party leadership which is due to begin next week. (Photo by WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto)

January 08, 2020 19:04

Anti-Jewish hate, conspiracy theories and abuse have become far too common in parts of the Labour Party. And that’s devastating for all of us who joined the Labour movement because we’re anti-racist and there are lots of us.

The majority of Labour Party members aren’t antisemitic but those that are need to be expelled immediately. There is no place for hate in my party.

May 28 last year was one of the blackest days in Labour’s history, when the Equality and Human Rights Commission announced its investigation to determine whether the Labour Party, the party of Manny Shinwell, was institutionally antisemitic.

Following on from Luciana Berger’s resignation from the party, it was a moment that for all of us who had been demanding action for months and months showed just how far we’d sunk — and the need for desperate change.

No one should think that they don’t have a home in the Labour Party. No one should be scared of the thought of a Labour government. And no one should make plans to leave the country if we win.

If I’m elected as Leader, I promise you I will do everything I can to win back your trust — to expel the evil of anti-Jewish hate from the political mainstream and show, day in and day out, I’m on your side.

None of our systems work for racism or sexual harassment. They aren’t independent. And they don’t protect the victims of abuse.

Winning back your trust means working with the Jewish Leadership Council and Board of Deputies to deliver on their plan of action, and implementing fully every recommendation of the EHRC.

It also means ensuring that the Jewish Labour Movement is the sole Jewish affiliate, and celebrated not targeted as it marks its centenary — and that JLM is at the centre of fixing the scourge of anti-Jewish hate.

I know the Labour Party has caused the Jewish community huge pain. I need you to join to help me make sure we’re never in this position again.

January 08, 2020 19:04

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