Veteran anti-racism campaigner and Jewish MP Dame Margaret Hodge is to face a vote on deselection, a move attacked as “shameful” by Jewish Labour Movement chair Mike Katz.
Dame Margaret, MP for Barking in east London since 1994, has been a stalwart campaigner against the far-right and strong critic of antisemitism in the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn.
New rules drawn up at last year’s Labour conference mean only a third of constituency branches are required to trigger a reselection, whereas it was previously 50 per cent.
In a statement to the Huffington Post, Dame Margaret said: “I am obviously disappointed. My priority remains serving the people of Barking as I have done for the last 25 years.
“At a vital time for the country, with a general election looming, we should be focusing our efforts on holding Boris Johnson and the Tories to account.
“I will work to secure the full backing of Barking Labour party, so I can continue to play my part as their MP in doing that.”
JLM chair Mike Katz said: “Margaret Hodge has been a steadfast campaigner against racism, fascism and intolerance throughout her political life.
“She saw off the BNP in Barking and has over the last few years been determined in her opposition to antisemitism within the Labour party. This is a shameful moment for a party which claims to embody the values of equality and diversity.
“She has been the target of vicious smears, derision and antisemitism, because she has been resolute in her opposition to anti-Jewish racism.”
My statement on the shameful news that @margarethodge has been triggered for Barking CLP for deselection (thread). #Solidarity Margaret - @JewishLabour stands with you. https://t.co/TJzgKz0CMn
— Mike Katz (@mikekatz) September 28, 2019
Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman tweeted: "Dismayed more than I can say by this. Scourge of tax avoiders, racists & antisemitism. Champion of progressive policies. Hyperactive local MP. Surely this cannot stand!"
Dismayed more than I can say by this. @margarethodge scourge of tax avoiders, racists & antisemitism. Champion of progressive policies. Hyperactive local MP. Surely this cannot stand! https://t.co/gKCHslrsr1
— Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) September 28, 2019
In a speech at a JLM rally in a synagogue during Labour conference last week, Dame Margaret said that antisemitism was “just one element that reflects the culture of the politics of the hard left approach to the world.
“It’s a culture that’s characterised by a complete intolerance of anyone that doesn’t share their view.”
Fiona Sharpe, spokeswoman for Labour Against Antisemitism, said the trigger ballot was “further evidence of the hostility towards Jews that is endemic within the Labour Party”.
