labourlist--2020-10-28--Labour must “be seen to be taking action” on antisemitism, says Duffield

Labour MP Rosie Duffield has said the party needs to be “ seen to be taking action – not just talking ” on antisemitism and commented that she suspects the investigation into the party may find Labour “ institutionally racist ” .
Appearing on ITV ’ s Peston this evening , the Labour MP for Canterbury discussed the Equality and Human Rights Commission report into antisemitism within the Labour Party , which will be published tomorrow .
Asked about what to expect the impending report to say about the party , Duffield told viewers that she did not think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the party is “ going to be a huge shock ” .
On whether the EHRC will find Labour institutionally racist , she said : “ I suspect they might , actually .
And it is very shameful and we need to do something about it quickly .
Keir ’ s already taken action since he ’ s become the leader , which is great to see .
“ And people like me who were kind of very , very vocal and concerned about it have been just thrilled that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it has to happen fast and we have to be seen to be taking action – not just talking.
” On whether the party recognises what needs to be done now : “ It does feel like that… If I felt differently I would be speaking out still and I came under a lot of flack from certain factions of the party for doing so but it was the right thing to do .
“ And we did try very hard under the last leader to get it taken seriously but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were speaking out , do feel that Keir really is taking a lead on this.
” In a Times Radio interview earlier today , Ed Balls described the failure to deal with antisemitism within the Labour Party as a “ tragedy and a disaster ” ahead of the expected publication of the report .
The former Shadow Chancellor told listeners this afternoon that he does not think Jeremy Corbyn is an antisemite but believes the former Labour leader “ stood with antisemitic people ” and “ said things which were antisemitic ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in anticipation of the release of the EHRC report , that she is “ proud ” of the party ’ s record on dealing with antisemitism complaints under Corbyn ’ s leadership .
She wrote in The Guardian on Monday : “ I want to set the record straight .
Under Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership , antisemites were removed from the Labour Party more quickly , transparently and effectively than ever before.
” The chief of staff to the former Labour leader between 2016 and 2020 said that Corbyn had asked her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antisemites out of our party and begin to rebuild trust with Jewish communities ” .
She added : “ Could more have been done earlier ?
Yes , of course .
But what was done – including changes to the party ’ s rules and instituting detailed guidance on antisemitism for an expanded complaints team – unquestionably made it easier and swifter to remove antisemites from the party.
” The EHRC sent a draft report of its investigation into allegations of institutional antisemitism within the Labour Party in July this year .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday at 10am .
The draft was sent to Labour to review as part of the process .
The party issued a statement at the time explaining that it would not comment on the contents of the draft report until the EHRC ’ s investigative process is completed .
Duffield was elected to parliament in 2017 , winning the Canterbury seat for Labour for the first time since the constituency was created in 1918 .
She was appointed as a whip by Keir Starmer in mid-April but resigned in May after breaking @ @ @

Labour MP Rosie Duffield has said the party needs to be “seen to be taking action – not just talking” on antisemitism and commented that she suspects the investigation into the party may find Labour “institutionally racist”.
Appearing on ITV’s Peston this evening, the Labour MP for Canterbury discussed the Equality and Human Rights Commission report into antisemitism within the Labour Party, which will be published tomorrow.
Asked about what to expect the impending report to say about the party, Duffield told viewers that she did not think the outcome of the organisation’s investigation into the party is “going to be a huge shock”.
On whether the EHRC will find Labour institutionally racist, she said: “I suspect they might, actually. And it is very shameful and we need to do something about it quickly. Keir’s already taken action since he’s become the leader, which is great to see.
“And people like me who were kind of very, very vocal and concerned about it have been just thrilled that we’ve got this change already taking place. But it has to happen fast and we have to be seen to be taking action – not just talking.”
On whether the party recognises what needs to be done now: “It does feel like that… If I felt differently I would be speaking out still and I came under a lot of flack from certain factions of the party for doing so but it was the right thing to do.
“And we did try very hard under the last leader to get it taken seriously but we do, most of us who were speaking out, do feel that Keir really is taking a lead on this.”
In a Times Radio interview earlier today, Ed Balls described the failure to deal with antisemitism within the Labour Party as a “tragedy and a disaster” ahead of the expected publication of the report.
The former Shadow Chancellor told listeners this afternoon that he does not think Jeremy Corbyn is an antisemite but believes the former Labour leader “stood with antisemitic people” and “said things which were antisemitic”.
Karie Murphy argued earlier this week, in anticipation of the release of the EHRC report, that she is “proud” of the party’s record on dealing with antisemitism complaints under Corbyn’s leadership.
She wrote in The Guardian on Monday: “I want to set the record straight. Under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, antisemites were removed from the Labour Party more quickly, transparently and effectively than ever before.”
The chief of staff to the former Labour leader between 2016 and 2020 said that Corbyn had asked her to “improve the process, get antisemites out of our party and begin to rebuild trust with Jewish communities”.
She added: “Could more have been done earlier? Yes, of course. But what was done – including changes to the party’s rules and instituting detailed guidance on antisemitism for an expanded complaints team – unquestionably made it easier and swifter to remove antisemites from the party.”
The EHRC sent a draft report of its investigation into allegations of institutional antisemitism within the Labour Party in July this year. The final report is set to be published on Thursday at 10am.
The draft was sent to Labour to review as part of the process. The party issued a statement at the time explaining that it would not comment on the contents of the draft report until the EHRC’s investigative process is completed.
Duffield was elected to parliament in 2017, winning the Canterbury seat for Labour for the first time since the constituency was created in 1918. She was appointed as a whip by Keir Starmer in mid-April but resigned in May after breaking lockdown rules.


labourlist--2020-10-28--Black history matters. Let’s recognise that this month and every month

In our first ever Year 7 history class , my teacher , Mr Smart , told us to write down the following phrase : “ We study the past to live the present with an eye on the future.
” Why do we study history ?
Because if you don ’ t know where you come from , you don ’ t know where you are going .
It is as simple as that .
And when it comes to British history , we are not given a complete picture – because Black history is often missing .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 86 % of people in the UK learnt about the Tudors at school but less than 10 % learnt about the role of slavery in the British industrial revolution .
Hence , Black History Month .
To adapt the logic of the Black Lives Matter movement : Black History Month is the month when we say that Black history matters .
We are not saying that only Black history matters .
We know all history matters .
We just need to recognise that Black history is British history .
Like most people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past century , I never learnt Black British history in school in any meaningful way .
Any learning I did do was during frequent visits to the Brixton library .
The most popular narratives of Black figures in history remain focused on the US civil rights struggle and figures like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks .
These international perspectives are important , as Martin Luther King himself said : “ An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.
” This is something we saw more clearly than ever with the death of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK has its own rich civil rights struggle and we need to make sure that British children learn about and understand this .
On a personal level , it ’ s extremely damaging not to see yourself reflected in your own history .
That is partly why I want children in our country to learn about figures like William Cuffay , Mary Seacole , C. L. R. James , Claudia Jones and Olive Morris .
We also know that history is always written by the victors .
That is one obvious explanation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amnesia surrounding our country ’ s own civil rights struggles has a pretty blatant function in our political discourse : obscuring the past victories of the oppressed and marginalised to prevent a repeat .
Very few students learn about events like the Bristol bus boycotts or the battle of Lewisham .
Decolonising our curriculum is as much about class as it is race .
In school , other notable gaps in my history lessons included the miners ’ strikes , the poll tax riots , and the accomplishments of trade unions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curriculum is the attempt to put the history of working-class struggles on the curriculum .
I worry that there is an ideological reason behind the resistance to teaching the history of colonialism and working-class movements in schools .
If working-class kids learn about movements for change and how they persevered to challenge injustice , what ’ s to stop them from recognising parallels with what ’ s going on in the present ?
Worse still , what is to stop them understanding their power as citizens and putting the lessons of the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to constrain the teaching of anti-capitalism and the equalities minister openly condemning the teaching of critical race theory in schools , this couldn ’ t be more important .
The Tories ’ recent tilt towards censorship tells us the same thing as their brittle rebuttals of the very concept of Black history in last week ’ s House of Commons debate : they are on the back foot with this .
No subject has received more signatories for parliamentary petitions than getting Black history taught as part of our national curriculum .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming down , people will not wait forever for them to do the right thing .
Another commission to ‘ look into ’ racial inequality , or platitudes about how much ‘ better ’ things are , are just not good enough .
To quote Streatham native and rapper Santan Dave , “ least racist is still racist ” – and we need to challenge racism however and wherever we see it .
Black History Month is a means to an end .
And that end is nothing less than giving everyone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collective past .
That ’ s why Black history can not be an afterthought tacked on to the end of a lesson or squeezed into one day , week or even month .
Too much of the burden currently falls on the shoulders of busy teachers who have the impossible task of carving out extra time to teach it from an already full schedule .
That is why the government should take a lead from our brilliant teachers and organisations like the Black Curriculum , the Coalition of Anti-Racist Educators and the Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the curriculum .
Confronting the history of slavery and empire is not about past recrimination .
We need to address our shameful past and shameful present in order to look to a future of racial equality .
Nobody is born racist but if we are going to end racism , we have to be willing to confront this to inform and inspire the next generation .
Racism is ignorance , and what is education if not the absence of ignorance ?
A popular narrative about those who challenge racism and who highlight the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not love our country .
But true love for your country is wanting to make it the best place in the world for all people to live , no matter the colour of their skin .
If we are going to do this , we must teach Black history in schools this month and every month .

In our first ever Year 7 history class, my teacher, Mr Smart, told us to write down the following phrase: “We study the past to live the present with an eye on the future.” Why do we study history? Because if you don’t know where you come from, you don’t know where you are going. It is as simple as that. And when it comes to British history, we are not given a complete picture – because Black history is often missing.
According to a survey by the Black Curriculum, 86% of people in the UK learnt about the Tudors at school but less than 10% learnt about the role of slavery in the British industrial revolution. Hence, Black History Month. To adapt the logic of the Black Lives Matter movement: Black History Month is the month when we say that Black history matters. We are not saying that only Black history matters. We know all history matters. We just need to recognise that Black history is British history.
Like most people who have grown up in Britain over the past century, I never learnt Black British history in school in any meaningful way. Any learning I did do was during frequent visits to the Brixton library. The most popular narratives of Black figures in history remain focused on the US civil rights struggle and figures like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. These international perspectives are important, as Martin Luther King himself said: “An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.” This is something we saw more clearly than ever with the death of George Floyd sparking global outcry.
However, the UK has its own rich civil rights struggle and we need to make sure that British children learn about and understand this. On a personal level, it’s extremely damaging not to see yourself reflected in your own history. That is partly why I want children in our country to learn about figures like William Cuffay, Mary Seacole, C. L. R. James, Claudia Jones and Olive Morris.
We also know that history is always written by the victors. That is one obvious explanation for the status quo. The historical amnesia surrounding our country’s own civil rights struggles has a pretty blatant function in our political discourse: obscuring the past victories of the oppressed and marginalised to prevent a repeat. Very few students learn about events like the Bristol bus boycotts or the battle of Lewisham.
Decolonising our curriculum is as much about class as it is race. In school, other notable gaps in my history lessons included the miners’ strikes, the poll tax riots, and the accomplishments of trade unions. The attempt to put Black history on the curriculum is the attempt to put the history of working-class struggles on the curriculum.
I worry that there is an ideological reason behind the resistance to teaching the history of colonialism and working-class movements in schools. If working-class kids learn about movements for change and how they persevered to challenge injustice, what’s to stop them from recognising parallels with what’s going on in the present? Worse still, what is to stop them understanding their power as citizens and putting the lessons of the past into practice?
With the government actively trying to constrain the teaching of anti-capitalism and the equalities minister openly condemning the teaching of critical race theory in schools, this couldn’t be more important. The Tories’ recent tilt towards censorship tells us the same thing as their brittle rebuttals of the very concept of Black history in last week’s House of Commons debate: they are on the back foot with this.
No subject has received more signatories for parliamentary petitions than getting Black history taught as part of our national curriculum. As we saw when the statues started coming down, people will not wait forever for them to do the right thing. Another commission to ‘look into’ racial inequality, or platitudes about how much ‘better’ things are, are just not good enough. To quote Streatham native and rapper Santan Dave, “least racist is still racist” – and we need to challenge racism however and wherever we see it.
Black History Month is a means to an end. And that end is nothing less than giving everyone in the country a clearer picture of our collective past. That’s why Black history cannot be an afterthought tacked on to the end of a lesson or squeezed into one day, week or even month. Too much of the burden currently falls on the shoulders of busy teachers who have the impossible task of carving out extra time to teach it from an already full schedule. That is why the government should take a lead from our brilliant teachers and organisations like the Black Curriculum, the Coalition of Anti-Racist Educators and the Black Educators’ Alliance and include it in the curriculum.
Confronting the history of slavery and empire is not about past recrimination. We need to address our shameful past and shameful present in order to look to a future of racial equality. Nobody is born racist but if we are going to end racism, we have to be willing to confront this to inform and inspire the next generation. Racism is ignorance, and what is education if not the absence of ignorance?
A popular narrative about those who challenge racism and who highlight the wrongs of the past is that we do not love our country. But true love for your country is wanting to make it the best place in the world for all people to live, no matter the colour of their skin. If we are going to do this, we must teach Black history in schools this month and every month.


labourlist--2020-10-28--We cannot fix social care on the cheap. Sick care workers need full pay

Britain ’ s care system has never experienced such intense political and public attention .
We have clapped our carers and heard politicians promise varying combinations of warm words , enamel badges and commitments to fix the system at some unknown date in the future .
We need to talk about care , and those of us involved with the trade unions of care workers welcome this new found interest in the long under-appreciated public service .
But despite the attention , the truth of the matter is that Covid-19 has exposed a fundamental and pre-existing vulnerability in our care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Britain ’ s care system relies on a weighty imbalance to generate bloated profits for private companies , with care workers paid the bare minimum and care home residents often shelling out thousands of pounds from their savings to fund their care .
Not only this , but the emotional capital of care workers – their caring nature and good intentions – prop up a system that relies on residents feeling safe , secure and cared for .
The urgent and pressing priority of this crisis is that of vulnerability to infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast majority of care workers are still only entitled to statutory sick pay , just £95.85 a week , when they get sick themselves .
The GMB ’ s recent care survey exposed just how real this is for those on the frontline .
78 % of care workers would consider returning to work before they had recovered from an illness due to the impact of being put on statutory sick pay .
Even more shockingly , over 80 % of care workers would even consider borrowing from friends and family or taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of the impact of being put on the benefit .
The issue is this : workers , in a healthcare setting , being placed on this rate of sick pay is an infection control risk .
Most social care staff simply can not afford to be sick under the current statutory arrangements .
This is a national scandal – and that is why the GMB has launched its ‘ Care Full Pay ‘ campaign to call for care workers to receive full sick pay when they are unwell .
Full pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effective infection control measure in care .
Our campaign has already seen major wins in this area with care providers across the country agreeing to the demand for full sick pay for residential social care staff in cases of Covid-19 .
The GMB has been leading the call nationally , within the regions and in devolved administrations for full sick pay as an infection control measure .
We informed ministers as early as March 2020 that inadequate sick pay was a massive infection risk in the care sector .
The union wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister Helen Whately multiple times to warn that creating a perverse incentive to come into work sick or while self-isolating would exacerbate the spread the Covid-19 within care settings .
The government ’ s ‘ adult social care infection control fund ’ does not go far enough in making this a reality .
The GMB is calling for a clear directive from central government for care providers to utilise new funding streams and introduce full sick pay in cases of Covid-19 , and to make full sick pay as a long-term protection for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families .
This campaign is about the government and care providers putting their money where their mouth is .
You can not fix the problems in care on the cheap , but it can be done if we have the political and public will to do it .
If you are with us , you can add your name to those of thousands of care workers across the country and sign the GMB ’ s Care Full Pay petition .

Britain’s care system has never experienced such intense political and public attention. We have clapped our carers and heard politicians promise varying combinations of warm words, enamel badges and commitments to fix the system at some unknown date in the future. We need to talk about care, and those of us involved with the trade unions of care workers welcome this new found interest in the long under-appreciated public service.
But despite the attention, the truth of the matter is that Covid-19 has exposed a fundamental and pre-existing vulnerability in our care system that has been ignored for decades. Britain’s care system relies on a weighty imbalance to generate bloated profits for private companies, with care workers paid the bare minimum and care home residents often shelling out thousands of pounds from their savings to fund their care.
Not only this, but the emotional capital of care workers – their caring nature and good intentions – prop up a system that relies on residents feeling safe, secure and cared for. The urgent and pressing priority of this crisis is that of vulnerability to infection, and the national scandal that the vast majority of care workers are still only entitled to statutory sick pay, just £95.85 a week, when they get sick themselves.
The GMB’s recent care survey exposed just how real this is for those on the frontline. 78% of care workers would consider returning to work before they had recovered from an illness due to the impact of being put on statutory sick pay. Even more shockingly, over 80% of care workers would even consider borrowing from friends and family or taking on debt to make ends meet as a result of the impact of being put on the benefit.
The issue is this: workers, in a healthcare setting, being placed on this rate of sick pay is an infection control risk. Most social care staff simply cannot afford to be sick under the current statutory arrangements. This is a national scandal – and that is why the GMB has launched its ‘Care Full Pay‘ campaign to call for care workers to receive full sick pay when they are unwell.
Full pay whilst unwell is now widely accepted as an effective infection control measure in care. Our campaign has already seen major wins in this area with care providers across the country agreeing to the demand for full sick pay for residential social care staff in cases of Covid-19.
The GMB has been leading the call nationally, within the regions and in devolved administrations for full sick pay as an infection control measure. We informed ministers as early as March 2020 that inadequate sick pay was a massive infection risk in the care sector. The union wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and care minister Helen Whately multiple times to warn that creating a perverse incentive to come into work sick or while self-isolating would exacerbate the spread the Covid-19 within care settings.
The government’s ‘adult social care infection control fund’ does not go far enough in making this a reality. The GMB is calling for a clear directive from central government for care providers to utilise new funding streams and introduce full sick pay in cases of Covid-19, and to make full sick pay as a long-term protection for care workers, care home residents and their families.
This campaign is about the government and care providers putting their money where their mouth is. You cannot fix the problems in care on the cheap, but it can be done if we have the political and public will to do it. If you are with us, you can add your name to those of thousands of care workers across the country and sign the GMB’s Care Full Pay petition.


labourlist--2020-10-28--Scottish Labour: Hold SNP to account over Covid care home discharges

Scottish Labour has declared that the SNP must be “ held to account ” over its handling of the pandemic in Scotland ’ s care sector after new figures revealed 123 Covid-positive elderly patients were knowingly discharged into care homes .
A new report from Public Health Scotland published today shows that between March 1st and May 31st , 123 elderly patients in the country were moved from hospitals into care homes after receiving a positive coronavirus test .
The figures also reveal that 3,061 untested patients were discharged from hospitals into care homes during that period , 112 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the issue changed on April 22nd .
Scottish Labour ’ s health and social care spokesperson Monica Lennon said : “ The decision to move patients with Covid-19 into care homes was reckless and SNP ministers must be held to account for this Russian roulette strategy .
“ The combination of knowingly transferring the virus into care homes and not bothering to test hundreds of other patients before moving them is unfathomable .
It will be extremely distressing to impacted families to learn that Covid-19 positive patients were knowingly discharged from hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or untested patients should never have been discharged from hospital into care homes , but Scottish government guidance from March 13th left the door open for this to occur .
The subsequent consequences for Scotland ’ s care home population is a national scandal .
“ That ’ s why I have asked the Lord Advocate and Police Scotland to investigate how this happened , and it is right that a public inquiry is launched as soon as possible into the decisions made by the Scottish government.
” Scottish Labour has highlighted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more Covid-positive discharge experienced an outbreak , compared to only 13 % for homes with no Covid-positive discharges .
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon disputed the figure at a coronavirus press conference today and claimed the report showed that once factors such as the size of a care home were accounted for , discharging Covid patients had little effect on outbreaks .
During the early weeks of the pandemic , many hospitals discharged elderly patients into the community without Covid tests , or even after testing positive , in an effort to free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients .
It was later found that many of those patients “ seeded ” the virus into care homes .
It has been estimated by the Office for National Statistics that as many as 30,000 care home residents in England and Wales may have died from coronavirus .
Care homes in Scotland have been particularly badly hit by coronavirus , with research from August showing that 47 % of the country ’ s Covid deaths came from care homes , as opposed to 30 % in England and 28 % in Wales .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold a formal public inquiry into the Scottish government ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , including its handling of the crisis in the country ’ s care homes .
A report by the Office for National Statistics in July showed that care homes that used private agency and bank staff saw significantly higher rates of coronavirus among both their patients and staff members .
The study , which covered a total of 9,081 care homes and nearly 300,000 residents , concluded that agency staff who worked in multiple homes , sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus across different care homes .

Scottish Labour has declared that the SNP must be “held to account” over its handling of the pandemic in Scotland’s care sector after new figures revealed 123 Covid-positive elderly patients were knowingly discharged into care homes.
A new report from Public Health Scotland published today shows that between March 1st and May 31st, 123 elderly patients in the country were moved from hospitals into care homes after receiving a positive coronavirus test.
The figures also reveal that 3,061 untested patients were discharged from hospitals into care homes during that period, 112 of which remained untested even after the guidance on the issue changed on April 22nd.
Scottish Labour’s health and social care spokesperson Monica Lennon said: “The decision to move patients with Covid-19 into care homes was reckless and SNP ministers must be held to account for this Russian roulette strategy.
“The combination of knowingly transferring the virus into care homes and not bothering to test hundreds of other patients before moving them is unfathomable. It will be extremely distressing to impacted families to learn that Covid-19 positive patients were knowingly discharged from hospital to care homes.
“Covid-19 positive or untested patients should never have been discharged from hospital into care homes, but Scottish government guidance from March 13th left the door open for this to occur. The subsequent consequences for Scotland’s care home population is a national scandal.
“That’s why I have asked the Lord Advocate and Police Scotland to investigate how this happened, and it is right that a public inquiry is launched as soon as possible into the decisions made by the Scottish government.”
Scottish Labour has highlighted that 38% of care homes with one or more Covid-positive discharge experienced an outbreak, compared to only 13% for homes with no Covid-positive discharges.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon disputed the figure at a coronavirus press conference today and claimed the report showed that once factors such as the size of a care home were accounted for, discharging Covid patients had little effect on outbreaks.
During the early weeks of the pandemic, many hospitals discharged elderly patients into the community without Covid tests, or even after testing positive, in an effort to free up beds amid an influx of coronavirus patients.
It was later found that many of those patients “seeded” the virus into care homes. It has been estimated by the Office for National Statistics that as many as 30,000 care home residents in England and Wales may have died from coronavirus.
Care homes in Scotland have been particularly badly hit by coronavirus, with research from August showing that 47% of the country’s Covid deaths came from care homes, as opposed to 30% in England and 28% in Wales.
Sturgeon pledged earlier in the year to hold a formal public inquiry into the Scottish government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, including its handling of the crisis in the country’s care homes.
A report by the Office for National Statistics in July showed that care homes that used private agency and bank staff saw significantly higher rates of coronavirus among both their patients and staff members.
The study, which covered a total of 9,081 care homes and nearly 300,000 residents, concluded that agency staff who worked in multiple homes, sometimes without statutory sick pay, helped spread the virus across different care homes.


labourlist--2020-10-28--Debbonaire’s local party urges Labour to adopt more radical housing policy

The local party of Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire has passed a motion urging Labour to adopt a more radical housing policy in support of renters during coronavirus , LabourList can reveal .
The motion drafted by group Labour Tenants United , and supported by Momentum as part of its eviction resistance campaign , passed on Tuesday evening with 52 votes in favour , three against and 12 abstentions .
The local party has resolved to write to Keir Starmer and Labour ’ s regional director expressing support for a “ proactive campaign to cancel rental arrears as a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The members of Bristol West have also asked their MP – shadow cabinet member Thangam Debbonaire – to undersign a letter that will ask letting agents in the constituency to do the following : • refrain from evicting tenants , either via a Section 21 ‘ no fault ’ eviction or a Section 8 eviction based on terms of tenancy being broken such as non-payment of rent ; • and cancel rent arrears “ where income has been affected during the crisis and there were no other means to pay rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online meeting last night but joined after the motion was debated .
LabourList has contacted the MP about the policy proposals that were endorsed by her local party .
Commenting on the motion , local co-secretary Darran McLaughlin said : “ Members in our CLP are pleased that Thangam and Labour have pressured the government to provide the level of housing support that they have .
“ However it ’ s clear our members would like Labour to go further , and don ’ t think it is feasible that renters will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt on top of their usual rent in an unprecedented economic crisis.
” Labour has not called for the cancellation of rent arrears during the pandemic , with Debbonaire as Shadow Housing Secretary instead supporting a plan under which renters would have two years to pay Covid-related arrears .
The opposition party had set out a five-point plan , which included outlawing evictions due to coronavirus-related arrears , improving Universal Credit and temporarily increasing Local Housing Allowance .
But the plan also said Labour would “ grant renters at least two years to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period ” , which proved controversial among some party activists and backbench MPs .
An open letter calling on Keir Starmer to “ cancel the rent ” accused Labour of “ failing renters ” , and said its proposals were “ not good enough ” .
Momentum said the plan would “ see renters shoulder the cost of the crisis ” .
During an online event in May , Debbonaire criticised the rent cancellation demand of activists , saying : “ The policy called ‘ cancel the rent ’ is surprisingly un-Labour .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Because , for instance , there are people who are still in work , still able to pay their rent .
And if you just cancelled rent , they would also benefit and they don ’ t need to.
” She added that it would be “ completely unnecessary ” .
The Shadow Housing Secretary also expressed concern that landlords would have a legal case to make “ against either the government or their tenants or quite possibly both ” and that they would need to be compensated .
LabourList understands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour Tenants United Covid-19 ’ motion to be tabled at many more local party meetings in November , alongside efforts to peacefully resist bailiffs .
Below is the full text of the motion .
• That in a tenant-landlord relationship the tenant is almost always the more vulnerable party .
• That 60 % of renters have suffered a loss of income since the pandemic hit .
• That while the evictions suspension has protected tenants from immediate evictions caused by Covid-19 , this is not a long term solution .
• That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour Government and Scottish Labour ) should always serve to protect a tenant ’ s right to safe and decent housing before a landlord ’ s right to profit .
• That the Labour Party should , as a matter of priority , advocate for the government to write off rental arrears that have accrued during the Covid-19 outbreak .
• That a substantial package of renting reforms in response to the pandemic and the wider housing crisis – including rent controls , abolishing no-fault evictions and Right to Buy , and ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control the narrative and help put tenants ’ interests onto the agenda .
• To engage with and support any local tenant organising , including renters ’ unions .
• To instruct the CLP secretary to write to the Regional Director and the Leader of the Party ( and the leader of Welsh and Scottish Labour parties ) expressing the CLP ’ s support for a proactive campaign to cancel rental arrears as a part of the solution to the evictions crisis .
• Call upon the English and Welsh governments to scrap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MP , MS and MSP to undersign a letter that can be delivered to Letting Agents in this constituency demanding they : • refrain from Section 21 ( In England and Wales ) and Section 8 evictions of tenants whose incomes have been affected during the crisis .
• cancel rent arrears where income has been affected during the crisis and there were no other means to pay rent , such as via uncapped housing benefit .

The local party of Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire has passed a motion urging Labour to adopt a more radical housing policy in support of renters during coronavirus, LabourList can reveal.
The motion drafted by group Labour Tenants United, and supported by Momentum as part of its eviction resistance campaign, passed on Tuesday evening with 52 votes in favour, three against and 12 abstentions.
The local party has resolved to write to Keir Starmer and Labour’s regional director expressing support for a “proactive campaign to cancel rental arrears as a part of the solution to the evictions crisis”.
The members of Bristol West have also asked their MP – shadow cabinet member Thangam Debbonaire – to undersign a letter that will ask letting agents in the constituency to do the following:
refrain from evicting tenants, either via a Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction or a Section 8 eviction based on terms of tenancy being broken such as non-payment of rent;
and cancel rent arrears “where income has been affected during the crisis and there were no other means to pay rent”.
Sources say Debbonaire attended the online meeting last night but joined after the motion was debated. LabourList has contacted the MP about the policy proposals that were endorsed by her local party.
Commenting on the motion, local co-secretary Darran McLaughlin said: “Members in our CLP are pleased that Thangam and Labour have pressured the government to provide the level of housing support that they have.
“However it’s clear our members would like Labour to go further, and don’t think it is feasible that renters will be in a position to repay outstanding rent debt on top of their usual rent in an unprecedented economic crisis.”
Labour has not called for the cancellation of rent arrears during the pandemic, with Debbonaire as Shadow Housing Secretary instead supporting a plan under which renters would have two years to pay Covid-related arrears.
The opposition party had set out a five-point plan, which included outlawing evictions due to coronavirus-related arrears, improving Universal Credit and temporarily increasing Local Housing Allowance.
But the plan also said Labour would “grant renters at least two years to pay back any arrears accrued during this period”, which proved controversial among some party activists and backbench MPs.
An open letter calling on Keir Starmer to “cancel the rent” accused Labour of “failing renters”, and said its proposals were “not good enough”. Momentum said the plan would “see renters shoulder the cost of the crisis”.
During an online event in May, Debbonaire criticised the rent cancellation demand of activists, saying: “The policy called ‘cancel the rent’ is surprisingly un-Labour. It’s a really regressive policy.
“Because, for instance, there are people who are still in work, still able to pay their rent. And if you just cancelled rent, they would also benefit and they don’t need to.” She added that it would be “completely unnecessary”.
The Shadow Housing Secretary also expressed concern that landlords would have a legal case to make “against either the government or their tenants or quite possibly both” and that they would need to be compensated.
LabourList understands that Labour activists plan for the ‘Labour Tenants United Covid-19’ motion to be tabled at many more local party meetings in November, alongside efforts to peacefully resist bailiffs.
Below is the full text of the motion.
Labour Tenants United Covid-19 CLP Motion
This CLP notes:
That in a tenant-landlord relationship the tenant is almost always the more vulnerable party.
That 60% of renters have suffered a loss of income since the pandemic hit.
That while the evictions suspension has protected tenants from immediate evictions caused by Covid-19, this is not a long term solution.
This CLP believes:
That the Labour Party (including the Welsh Labour Government and Scottish Labour) should always serve to protect a tenant’s right to safe and decent housing before a landlord’s right to profit.
That the Labour Party should, as a matter of priority, advocate for the government to write off rental arrears that have accrued during the Covid-19 outbreak.
That a substantial package of renting reforms in response to the pandemic and the wider housing crisis – including rent controls, abolishing no-fault evictions and Right to Buy, and ending the hostile environment in renting – could control the narrative and help put tenants’ interests onto the agenda.
This CLP resolves:


labourlist--2020-10-28--Failure to deal with Labour antisemitism was a “tragedy”, says Ed Balls

Ed Balls has described the failure to deal with antisemitism within the Labour Party as a “ tragedy and a disaster ” ahead of the expected publication of a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission .
In a Times Radio interview today , he told listeners that he does not think Jeremy Corbyn is an antisemite but argued the former Labour leader had “ stood with antisemitic people ” and “ said things which were antisemitic ” .
The former Shadow Chancellor warned that a failure to acknowledge this and apologise would mean that the Labour Party would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuine antisemites ” within its ranks .
He said : “ If Jeremy had come out quickly , in a very clear way , and said not only that antisemitism is wrong , but that it will be rooted out in the Labour Party , and that there are things I have done and said in the past , which I now regret , and I apologise for , things could have moved on .
“ I don ’ t think Jeremy Corbyn is an antisemite .
He ’ s not a racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood with antisemitic people , but said things which were antisemitic .
“ And because he wasn ’ t able to acknowledge that , his sort of anti-American , anti-liberal , anti-capitalist belief in his own anti-racist credentials , I think blinded him to the reality .
“ Which is if you say to , to Jews who ’ ve been in our country for a very long time , as he said in 2013 – “ they still don ’ t understand English irony ” – that somehow they are outsiders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that means that they are sort of foreigners in their own country , that is antisemitic.
” Balls added : “ If the leader can ’ t acknowledge that , and apologise and move on , it means that the whole party is then hamstrung in tackling the genuine antisemites who ’ ve always believed those antisemitic tropes and want to use it for their own political reasons .
And so it was a tragedy and a disaster.
” The then Labour leader Corbyn experienced a backlash in 2018 when a recording @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting organised by the Palestinian Return Centre about the Israel/Palestine conflict .
Commenting on the reaction to a speech by the Palestinian ambassador to the UK , he had said : “ This was dutifully recorded by the , thankfully silent , Zionists who were in the audience on that occasion , and then came up and berated him afterwards… “ They clearly have two problems .
One is that they don ’ t want to study history , and secondly , having lived in this country for a very long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t understand English irony either .
“ Manuel does understand English irony , and uses it very effectively .
So I think they needed two lessons , which we can perhaps help them with.
” Corbyn said afterwards that he had used the term ‘ Zionist ’ “ in the political sense and not as a euphemism for Jewish people ” and added he is more careful with the word now , which he argued has been “ hijacked by antisemites as code for Jews ” .
Asked during the interview today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in the party , Balls said : “ Keir Starmer is going to want to move on .
I don ’ t think Keir Starmer will or should kick Jeremy Corbyn out of the Labour Party.
” Karie Murphy argued earlier this week , in anticipation of the release of the EHRC report , that she is “ proud ” of the party ’ s record on dealing with antisemitism complaints under Corbyn ’ s leadership .
She wrote in The Guardian on Monday : “ I want to set the record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership , antisemites were removed from the Labour Party more quickly , transparently and effectively than ever before.
” The chief of staff to the former Labour leader between 2016 and 2020 said that Corbyn had asked her to “ improve the process , get antisemites out of our party and begin to rebuild trust with Jewish communities ” .
She added : “ Could more have been done earlier ?
Yes , of course .
But what was done – including changes to the party ’ s rules and instituting detailed guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – unquestionably made it easier and swifter to remove antisemites from the party.
” The EHRC sent a draft report of its investigation into allegations of institutional antisemitism within the Labour Party in July this year .
The final report is expected to be published on Thursday .
The draft was sent to Labour to review as part of the process .
The party issued a statement at the time explaining that it would not comment on the contents of the draft report until the EHRC ’ s investigative process is completed .

Ed Balls has described the failure to deal with antisemitism within the Labour Party as a “tragedy and a disaster” ahead of the expected publication of a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
In a Times Radio interview today, he told listeners that he does not think Jeremy Corbyn is an antisemite but argued the former Labour leader had “stood with antisemitic people” and “said things which were antisemitic”.
The former Shadow Chancellor warned that a failure to acknowledge this and apologise would mean that the Labour Party would be left “hamstrung in tackling the genuine antisemites” within its ranks.
He said: “If Jeremy had come out quickly, in a very clear way, and said not only that antisemitism is wrong, but that it will be rooted out in the Labour Party, and that there are things I have done and said in the past, which I now regret, and I apologise for, things could have moved on.
“I don’t think Jeremy Corbyn is an antisemite. He’s not a racist man, but he undoubtedly not only stood with antisemitic people, but said things which were antisemitic.
“And because he wasn’t able to acknowledge that, his sort of anti-American, anti-liberal, anti-capitalist belief in his own anti-racist credentials, I think blinded him to the reality.
“Which is if you say to, to Jews who’ve been in our country for a very long time, as he said in 2013 – “they still don’t understand English irony” – that somehow they are outsiders, they are, because of their Jewishness, that means that they are sort of foreigners in their own country, that is antisemitic.”
Balls added: “If the leader can’t acknowledge that, and apologise and move on, it means that the whole party is then hamstrung in tackling the genuine antisemites who’ve always believed those antisemitic tropes and want to use it for their own political reasons. And so it was a tragedy and a disaster.”
The then Labour leader Corbyn experienced a backlash in 2018 when a recording from 2013 emerged of him speaking at a meeting organised by the Palestinian Return Centre about the Israel/Palestine conflict.
Commenting on the reaction to a speech by the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, he had said: “This was dutifully recorded by the, thankfully silent, Zionists who were in the audience on that occasion, and then came up and berated him afterwards…
“They clearly have two problems. One is that they don’t want to study history, and secondly, having lived in this country for a very long time, probably all their lives, don’t understand English irony either.
“Manuel does understand English irony, and uses it very effectively. So I think they needed two lessons, which we can perhaps help them with.”
Corbyn said afterwards that he had used the term ‘Zionist’ “in the political sense and not as a euphemism for Jewish people” and added he is more careful with the word now, which he argued has been “hijacked by antisemites as code for Jews”.
Asked during the interview today whether the former Labour leader should still be in the party, Balls said: “Keir Starmer is going to want to move on. I don’t think Keir Starmer will or should kick Jeremy Corbyn out of the Labour Party.”
Karie Murphy declared earlier this week, in anticipation of the release of the EHRC report, that she is “proud” of the party’s record on dealing with antisemitism complaints under Corbyn’s leadership.
She wrote in The Guardian on Monday: “I want to set the record straight. Under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, antisemites were removed from the Labour Party more quickly, transparently and effectively than ever before.”
The chief of staff to the former Labour leader between 2016 and 2020 said that Corbyn had asked her to “improve the process, get antisemites out of our party and begin to rebuild trust with Jewish communities”.
She added: “Could more have been done earlier? Yes, of course. But what was done – including changes to the party’s rules and instituting detailed guidance on antisemitism for an expanded complaints team – unquestionably made it easier and swifter to remove antisemites from the party.”
The EHRC sent a draft report of its investigation into allegations of institutional antisemitism within the Labour Party in July this year. The final report is expected to be published on Thursday.
The draft was sent to Labour to review as part of the process. The party issued a statement at the time explaining that it would not comment on the contents of the draft report until the EHRC’s investigative process is completed.


labourlist--2020-10-29--How the labour movement has reacted to the EHRC antisemitism report

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission delivered its highly anticipated report into the Labour Party ’ s handling of antisemitism complaints today .
Here is how Labour MPs and the rest of the labour movement reacted… Socialist Campaign Group member Nadia Whittome MP : “ Solidarity with Jewish communities on this difficult day .
I ’ ll be reading the report in full and listening to Jewish voices before commenting , but what has always been clear is the urgent need to root out antisemitism , take all experiences of racism seriously , and rebuild trust.
” Parliamentary chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MP : “ This is a truly appalling day for the Labour Party .
Under Corbyn ’ s leadership , Labour committed unlawful acts of harassment and political interference .
This should never have been allowed to happen and this report must act as a watershed moment.
” Chair of Labour Friends of Israel Steve McCabe MP : “ Today ’ s findings from the EHRC shows beyond doubt the extent to which the poison of antisemitism was allowed to enter Labour under Jeremy Corbyn ’ s leadership and further confirms the extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the party .
“ We will support Keir Starmer to build on the work he has already begun to root out anti-Jewish racism and ensure that its perpetrators and defenders are removed from Labour ’ s ranks .
Today must mark the moment Labour decisively turns the page on the darkest chapter of our party ’ s history.
” Shadow schools minister Wes Streeting MP : “ Keir Starmer speaks for all of us in response to the EHRC ’ s report .
Please read the report and listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voices matter more than anyone else ’ s .
The courage of campaigners has been limitless .
I stand with the Jewish Labour Movement now and always.
” Meg Hillier MP : “ We need to take this report and finally tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism after a shameful period in Labour ’ s history .
As Keir Starmer says there is no place in the Labour Party for anti-Semites or those who deny the problem.
” Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP : “ The EHRC ’ s report shows that when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party ’ s processes for handling complaints were not fit for purpose .
Reform was then stalled by an obstructive party bureaucracy .
“ But from 2018 , Jennie Formby and a new NEC that supported my leadership made substantial improvements , making it much easier and swifter to remove antisemites .
My team acted to speed up , not hinder the process… “ But the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party , as well as by much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and must never be repeated .
“ My sincere hope is that relations with Jewish communities can be rebuilt and those fears overcome .
While I do not accept all of its findings , I trust its recommendations will be swiftly implemented to help move on from this period.
” Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon MP , on behalf of The Co-operative Party : “ The publication of the EHRC ’ s report into the Labour Party must prove a turning point in the fight against antisemitism… “ We can not underestimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , members or representatives of the Labour Party have felt in recent years .
The report makes clear that only determined change will fix this problem , and that work must begin without delay.
” Welsh Labour Leader and First Minister Mark Drakeford : “ I welcome the publication of this report .
As I have made clear many times , antisemitism has no place in Welsh Labour and no place in Wales.
” Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard : “ This report will be a saddening and sobering read for everyone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to eliminating antisemitism , racism and hatred from our society .
“ It sets out a series of failures which are a matter of deep regret , for me and for everyone in our party .
Keir Starmer has made crystal clear this morning that our party will accept the report ’ s findings and implement its recommendations in full , and that is the right thing to do .
“ All of us have a duty to root out antisemitism wherever it exists , and that doesn ’ t stop at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vigilant against the evil of antisemitism in our society .
“ We must work tirelessly with the Jewish community to rebuild trust .
We also have a responsibility to further educate our members and society at large on antisemitism and how to fight it.
” Former general secretary of the Labour Party Jennie Formby : “ When I was appointed as general secretary in 2018 , Jeremy Corbyn and his office had been asking Labour HQ to improve procedures but improvements had not been made .
“ Under Jeremy Corbyn ’ s initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were passed by Labour members and affiliates , that enabled rapid expulsions… “ The record shows that as a result of the changes we made , Labour ’ s previously unfit processes were transformed , becoming more rapid , robust and more independent than any other political party .
The Jewish Labour Movement : “ As set out in forensic detail by the EHRC , the blame for this sordid , disgraceful chapter in the Labour Party ’ s history lies firmly with those who held positions of leadership – those who possessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth of anti-Jewish racism but failed to act… “ In order to truly restore its reputation as the party of equality , we believe Labour , as well as fully implementing the action plan and recommendations set out in the report , must now set out bold and decisive steps to radically change the culture of our party .
“ This will include pushing the Labour Party for a fully independent disciplinary process ; preventing casual bullying , intimidation and harassment ; implementing a proper education plan for party members and finally demonstrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joint statement from Progress , Labour to Win and Labour First : “ The publication of the EHRC report into antisemitism in the Labour Party is a dark day in our party ’ s history .
No democratic socialist party… should ever allow anti-Jewish hatred to gain any ground within its ranks… “ Today is a day for those impacted by antisemitic harassment , discrimination and victimisation – both Jewish members and former members of Labour , and the wider Jewish community – to have their say about what they experienced… “ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starmer as he implements all the recommendations of the EHRC report , and to a zero-tolerance approach which removes antisemitism from the Labour Party.
” Anti-racism advocacy group HOPE not Hate : “ Those who led , ran and administered the Labour Party over this period have serious questions to answer , and the entire party from members to MPs and peers should reflect on this period and ask themselves how this was allowed to happen for so long… “ We agree with the report findings that the problems within the Labour Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leadership had chosen to do so , and that a culture of toleration , verging on encouragement was at odds with a professed ‘ zero tolerance ’ of antisemitism… “ The Labour Party needs to act .
That action must include every single recommendation in the EHRC ’ s report – but these recommendations are just the starting point from which to make the party a welcoming and inclusive party for everyone.
” UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis : “ This is an incredibly serious and damning report that everyone associated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must take very seriously .
“ It will now be up to the whole Labour Party – led by Keir Starmer – to learn the vital lessons outlined in this shameful , distressing report , and repair its damaged relationship with the Jewish community .
“ UNISON has always fought racism in all its forms , including anti-Semitism .
The union urged Labour to tackle anti-Semitism in its ranks long before the EHRC investigation… There must never again be any place for discrimination of any kind within Labour.
” This story will be @ @ @ @ @

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission delivered its highly anticipated report into the Labour Party’s handling of antisemitism complaints today. Here is how Labour MPs and the rest of the labour movement reacted…
Parliamentary chair of the Jewish Labour Movement Margaret Hodge MP: “This is a truly appalling day for the Labour Party. Under Corbyn’s leadership, Labour committed unlawful acts of harassment and political interference. This should never have been allowed to happen and this report must act as a watershed moment.”
Chair of Labour Friends of Israel Steve McCabe MP: “Today’s findings from the EHRC shows beyond doubt the extent to which the poison of antisemitism was allowed to enter Labour under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and further confirms the extent of the terrible abuse suffered by Jewish members of the party.
“We will support Keir Starmer to build on the work he has already begun to root out anti-Jewish racism and ensure that its perpetrators and defenders are removed from Labour’s ranks. Today must mark the moment Labour decisively turns the page on the darkest chapter of our party’s history.”
Shadow mental health minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP: “Sorry to the Jewish community for the way Labour treated you. I repeated this many times during the deputy leadership election earlier this year and I meant it. There is no cause for jubilation just a feeling of deep, deep shame for the hurt our party has caused…
“For far too long, the party has failed our Jewish members, supporters and the wider public. The discrimination that the Jewish community faced from within the party was deplorable…
“Since his election, Keir Starmer has been taking action to rebuild trust with the Jewish community. Today, that work intensifies and I am pleased he has accepted, in full, all recommendations from the report. We must be unequivocal: the Labour Party will never let down the Jewish community again.”
Shadow Communities Secretary Steve Reed MP: “We as a party must fully accept and act on this report, listen to Jewish voices with humility and seek the forgiveness of the Jewish community. This is a painful day but a necessary one. It’s not about any one person, it’s about all of us and the values we stand for.”
Shadow schools minister Wes Streeting MP: “Keir Starmer speaks for all of us in response to the EHRC’s report. Please read the report and listen to the voices of the Jewish community. Their voices matter more than anyone else’s. The courage of campaigners has been limitless. I stand with the Jewish Labour Movement now and always.”
Meg Hillier MP: “We need to take this report and finally tackle the scourge of anti-Semitism after a shameful period in Labour’s history. As Keir Starmer says there is no place in the Labour Party for anti-Semites or those who deny the problem.”
Yvette Cooper MP: “Today’s EHRC findings are damning. It is truly shameful for our party. There can be no equivocation. We must change. We must never again let antisemitism corrode the Labour Party’s soul or leave members of the Jewish community to feel the pain & hurt of recent years.”
Socialist Campaign Group member Nadia Whittome MP: “Solidarity with Jewish communities on this difficult day. I’ll be reading the report in full and listening to Jewish voices before commenting, but what has always been clear is the urgent need to root out antisemitism, take all experiences of racism seriously, and rebuild trust.”
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP: “The EHRC’s report shows that when I became Labour leader in 2015, the party’s processes for handling complaints were not fit for purpose. Reform was then stalled by an obstructive party bureaucracy…
“But the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media. That combination hurt Jewish people and must never be repeated. “My sincere hope is that relations with Jewish communities can be rebuilt and those fears overcome. While I do not accept all of its findings, I trust its recommendations will be swiftly implemented to help move on from this period.” Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon MP, on behalf of the Co-operative Party: “The publication of the EHRC’s report into the Labour Party must prove a turning point in the fight against antisemitism… “We can not underestimate the pain that so many Jewish supporters, members or representatives of the Labour Party have felt in recent years. The report makes clear that only determined change will fix this problem, and that work must begin without delay.” London mayor Sadiq Khan: “This is a dark day… I welcome Keir Starmer’s swift and strong response to the EHRC report – the Labour Party must implement all the recommendations with a robust Action Plan to take immediate action.” “I’ve been a member of the Labour Party since I was 15 years old. A big part of why I first joined was because I saw Labour as the best vehicle to break down the barriers of discrimination… “As mayor, I’ll continue to stand up for Jewish Londoners. And as a Labour politician, I will do everything I can to work with the new leadership of the Labour Party to stamp out antisemitism and to bring an end to this appalling chapter in Labour’s history.” Sheffield city region mayor Dan Jarvis MP: Today is a dark day in Labour‘s history, but Keir Starmer has shown real leadership by committing to implementing the EHRC’s recommendations. There’s no place in Labour for antisemites or their apologists. Now we must rebuild our relationship with the Jewish community. Welsh Labour Leader and First Minister Mark Drakeford: “I welcome the publication of this report. As I have made clear many times, antisemitism has no place in Welsh Labour and no place in Wales.” Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard: “This report will be a saddening and sobering read for everyone in the Labour party and everyone who is committed to eliminating antisemitism, racism and hatred from our society. “It sets out a series of failures which are a matter of deep regret, for me and for everyone in our party. Keir Starmer has made crystal clear this morning that our party will accept the report’s findings and implement its recommendations in full, and that is the right thing to do. “All of us have a duty to root out antisemitism wherever it exists, and that doesn’t stop at this report – we need to remain vigilant against the evil of antisemitism in our society. “We must work tirelessly with the Jewish community to rebuild trust. We also have a responsibility to further educate our members and society at large on antisemitism and how to fight it.”
Former Labour Party general secretary Jennie Formby: “When I was appointed as general secretary in 2018, Jeremy Corbyn and his office had been asking Labour HQ to improve procedures but improvements had not been made.
“Under Jeremy Corbyn’s initiative, we brought reforms to conference which were passed by Labour members and affiliates, that enabled rapid expulsions…
“The record shows that as a result of the changes we made, Labour’s previously unfit processes were transformed, becoming more rapid, robust and more independent than any other political party.
Former Labour MP Louise Ellman: “The EHRC’s report is devastating. Today is a day of shame for the Labour Party. This landmark report exposes the shame of the Labour Party’s racism against Jewish people.
“For a supposedly anti-racist party, this is truly shocking. The report documents the ugly truth and shows the shameful depths to which the Labour Party has sunk. This seminal report musty lead to immediate action.
The Jewish Labour Movement: “As set out in forensic detail by the EHRC, the blame for this sordid, disgraceful chapter in the Labour Party’s history lies firmly with those who held positions of leadership – those who possessed both power and influence to prevent the growth of anti-Jewish racism but failed to act…
“In order to truly restore its reputation as the party of equality, we believe Labour, as well as fully implementing the action plan and recommendations set out in the report, must now set out bold and decisive steps to radically change the culture of our party.
“This will include pushing the Labour Party for a fully independent disciplinary process; preventing casual bullying, intimidation and harassment; implementing a proper education plan for party members and finally demonstrating strong, moral, decisive leadership.”
Statement from Open Labour: “We express full solidarity with Open Labour’s many Jewish members, Jewish members across the Labour and trade union movement, and the wider Jewish community, who have been impacted by antisemitism in the Labour Party over the last few years.”
“The outcome of the Equality and Human Rights Commission investigation should be of deep concern to anybody with a conscience. Open Labour believes the bullying, harassment and victimisation of Jewish members was allowed to fester because of a failure of leadership…
“Labour members must accept the findings of the report and enter the rebuilding process in good faith. We must support efforts to stamp out the antisemitism problem and work together to make sure our party can be an open and welcoming environment.”
Joint statement from Progress, Labour to Win and Labour First: “The publication of the EHRC report into antisemitism in the Labour Party is a dark day in our party’s history. No democratic socialist party… should ever allow anti-Jewish hatred to gain any ground within its ranks…
“Today is a day for those impacted by antisemitic harassment, discrimination and victimisation – both Jewish members and former members of Labour, and the wider Jewish community – to have their say about what they experienced…
“All three organisations are committed to supporting Keir Starmer as he implements all the recommendations of the EHRC report, and to a zero-tolerance approach which removes antisemitism from the Labour Party.”
Anti-racism advocacy group HOPE not Hate: “Those who led, ran and administered the Labour Party over this period have serious questions to answer, and the entire party from members to MPs and peers should reflect on this period and ask themselves how this was allowed to happen for so long…
“We agree with the report findings that the problems within the Labour Party could have been tackled more effectively if the leadership had chosen to do so, and that a culture of toleration, verging on encouragement was at odds with a professed ‘zero tolerance’ of antisemitism…
“The Labour Party needs to act. That action must include every single recommendation in the EHRC’s report – but these recommendations are just the starting point from which to make the party a welcoming and inclusive party for everyone.”
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis: “This is an incredibly serious and damning report that everyone associated with the party and the wider labour movement must take very seriously.
“It will now be up to the whole Labour Party – led by Keir Starmer – to learn the vital lessons outlined in this shameful, distressing report, and repair its damaged relationship with the Jewish community.
“UNISON has always fought racism in all its forms, including anti-Semitism. The union urged Labour to tackle anti-Semitism in its ranks long before the EHRC investigation… There must never again be any place for discrimination of any kind within Labour.”
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis: “The first thing we must all do as people and organisations involved with the Labour Party is to acknowledge the profound hurt that has been caused to the Jewish community by Labour’s failure to deal with antisemitism.
“Keir Starmer is right to apologise on behalf of the Labour Party and we stand with him in doing so. There can be no excuses for the shameful behaviour found by the investigation and there can be no delay in the implementation of the EHRC’s recommendations.
Community union general secretary Roy Rickhuss: “This report is a stain on the Labour Party’s once proud record as the Party for equality. We should all be deeply ashamed by the findings.”
“There were clear failings at all levels of the party. This report shows this was not just a failure of process. Actions were taken that allowed antisemitism to flourish and the perpetrators to go unpunished.”
“Attention must now turn to the present and what Labour can do to fix our relationship with the Jewish community. We commit to working constructively with Keir Starmer and the Labour Party to tackle antisemitism and together we will not rest until it is rooted out.”
Young Labour national chair Miriam Mirwitch: “The past five years have been deeply painful for Jewish Labour activists. We have faced harassment and antisemitic abuse for being a part of the movement we love. The EHRC report is vital. Labour must apply all of its recommendations and have zero tolerance for antisemitism.”
Momentum founder Jon Lansman: “This [reading the report and listening to Jewish voices] is good thinking for anyone on the left who is tempted to leap in with both feet to comment on the EHRC report in a few minutes. Solidarity with all Jews, whatever their politics, who have suffered from antisemitic abuse in recent years!”
This story will be updated as further details emerge…


labourlist--2020-10-29--Keir Starmer: “A day of shame for the Labour Party”

Keir Starmer has responded to the Equality and Human Rights Commission ( EHRC ) report into antisemitism within Labour by apologising and describing this is a “ day of shame for the Labour Party ” .
Addressing a press conference this morning , the Labour leader reiterated the commitment made during his leadership campaign to implement the recommendations outlined in the document .
The EHRC report published today found that there were “ unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination ” , “ serious failings in leadership ” and an “ inadequate ” process for antisemitism complaints .
Starmer told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report hard to read .
And it is a day of shame for the Labour Party .
We have failed Jewish people .
Our members .
Our supporters .
And the British public .
“ And so : on behalf of the Labour Party : I am truly sorry for all the pain and grief that has been caused… I will act .
Never again will Labour let you down .
Never again will we fail to tackle antisemitism and never again will we lose your trust.
” He added : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in full .
And without qualification .
We will implement all the recommendations .
And we will implement them in full .
That process starts today.
” The Labour leader said he had already instructed his staff members to start work with the Commission to start the implementation of the recommendations set out in the report published today .
Starmer said the party is working to address the backlog of antisemitism complaints referred to the party , adding : “ There will be more cases completed in the last six months than in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some interpreted as referring to former leader Jeremy Corbyn , Starmer declared : “ If you ’ re antisemitic , you should be nowhere near this party .
And we ’ ll make sure you ’ re not .
“ And if after all the pain , all the grief , and all the evidence in this report , there are still those who think there ’ s no problem with antisemitism in the Labour Party .
That it ’ s all exaggerated , or a factional attack .
“ Then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem too .
And you should be nowhere near the Labour Party either.
” Corbyn has claimed in response to the EHRC report that the “ the scale of the [ antisemitism ] problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party ” .
Asked whether further action would be taken against Jeremy Corbyn and other individuals , Starmer said : “ There is a collective finding of a failure of leadership and we need to understand that and accept that… “ But there were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is incumbent on all of us to accept the findings , all of us to act on the recommendations and all of us including myself to apologise.
” Asked whether he would welcome back former Labour MPs who left the party due to antisemitism , Starmer said : “ I can ’ t speak for them but the test I ’ ve set for myself is when they and others feel it ’ s safe to return to the Labour Party.
” The EHRC concluded that Labour is responsible for three breaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interference in antisemitism complaints ; failure to provide adequate training to those handling them ; and harassment .
Analysis of evidence by the body has also found that there was a “ culture ” within the Labour Party that “ at best , did not do enough to prevent antisemitism and , at worst , could be seen to accept it ” .
The complainant in the EHRC investigation , the Campaign Against Antisemitism , said in response to the report : “ The debate is over .
Under Jeremy Corbyn ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antisemitic… “ Sir Keir Starmer now has a long list of reforms to make , including establishing an independent disciplinary process so that those who put Britain ’ s Jews in fear for their future in this country can at last be held to account for their deeds .
“ To that end , we have submitted complaints against Jeremy Corbyn , Diane Abbott and 14 other sitting MPs and have given Labour six months to conduct transparent investigations and finally deliver justice for the Jewish community.
” A number of recommendations have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its zero-tolerance commitment on antisemitism , rebuilding trust , education and training and on monitoring and evaluating improvements .
Labour has been served with an unlawful act notice following the investigation .
The party has six weeks to produce an action plan in response to the findings and recommendations of the report published today .
Starmer has pledged to implement an independent complaints process “ as quickly as possible ” and he hopes that this will be “ early next year ” .
Rule changes would normally require conference approval .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an action plan to the EHRC on how it will implement the recommendations and when .
This is legally enforceable by the court if not fulfilled .
Below is the full text of the statement made by Keir Starmer today .
This morning the Equality and Human Rights Commission published their final report into anti-semitism in the Labour Party .
I want to thank Caroline Waters , David Isaac and everyone at the Commission for their work in the last year and a half .
It is a comprehensive , rigorous , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was set up by the last Labour Government to tackle discrimination , promote equality , and protect human rights .
It never occurred to me or anyone else , that one day the Labour Party would be investigated for breaching the equality legislation that a Labour Government had introduced .
Worse still , that the Labour Party would be found to have committed unlawful acts under that same legislation .
But that is what this report finds .
Both in terms of unlawful harassment through the acts of our agents and unlawful indirect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are clear .
And stark .
They leave no room for equivocation .
The report finds : serious failings in leadership , processes and culture in dealing with anti-semitism within our party ; specific examples of unlawful harassment and unlawful indirect discrimination ; “ clear examples ” of political interference from the Leaders ’ Office in anti-semitism cases ; an inadequate process for handling complaints of anti-semitism ; a failure to deliver adequate training for staff responsible for investigating cases ; repeated failure to implement the recommendations of previous reports into anti-semitism ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quote : “ at odds with the Labour Party ’ s commitment to zero-tolerance of anti-semitism ” ; and – perhaps most telling of all : “ a clear breakdown of trust between the Labour Party , many of its members and the Jewish community.
” I found this report hard to read .
And it is a day of shame for the Labour Party .
We have failed Jewish people .
Our members .
Our supporters .
And the British public .
And so : on behalf of the Labour Party : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain and grief that has been caused .
To Jewish people , our Jewish members , our long-standing Jewish affiliate , JLM .
To the people driven out of our Party , the Jewish Members driven out of Parliament , including Louise Ellman and Luciana Berger .
And to the members of Labour Party staff who spoke out , I want to say this : I know how hard these last few years have been for you .
How painful today will be and how hard you have had to fight to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be clear , I hear you .
And I can promise you this : I will act .
Never again will Labour let you down .
Never again will we fail to tackle anti-semitism .
And never again will we lose your trust .
The Labour Party I lead accepts this report in full .
And without qualification .
We will implement all the recommendations .
And we will implement them in full .
That process starts today .
I have already instructed my staff to start work with the Commission to implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We will provide the Commission with our action plan to achieve all of this within six weeks .
We will establish an independent complaints process – and it will be in place as soon as possible in the New Year .
We will ensure that neither the Leader , the Deputy Leader nor our offices will have any involvement in the outcome of complaints initiated under the Labour Party processes .
And we are already addressing the backlog of anti-semitism cases .
In fact , there have been more cases completed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole of 2019 .
But we will go much further .
And we must go further .
Because – as the report makes clear – this can not be solved just by changing the Labour Party ’ s processes and structures .
We also need a culture change in the Labour Party .
It must become , once again , an open and welcoming place for people from all backgrounds , and all communities .
Under my leadership , zero-tolerance of anti-semitism will mean precisely that .
If you ’ re anti-semitic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And we ’ ll make sure you ’ re not .
And if – after all the pain , all the grief , and all the evidence in this report , there are still those who think there ’ s no problem with anti-semitism in the Labour Party .
That it ’ s all exaggerated , or a factional attack .
Then , frankly , you are part of the problem too .
And you should be nowhere near the Labour Party either .
This report is painful to read .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because this must be a line in the sand .
There can be no more missed opportunities .
No more denials or excuses .
Under my leadership , Labour will act decisively against anti-semitism in all its forms .
We will repair the breach .
I know it will take time .
And hard work .
But when I stood for leader of this Party , I was clear that my first priority would be to root out anti-semitism .
And rebuild trust .
That started in April .
We have made progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will only consider it a success when those members who left our Party because of anti-semitism feel safe to return .
And when we no longer hear the words “ Labour ” and “ anti-semitism ” in the same sentence .
Thank you .

Keir Starmer has responded to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report into antisemitism within Labour by apologising and describing this is a “day of shame for the Labour Party”.
Addressing a press conference this morning, the Labour leader reiterated the commitment made during his leadership campaign to implement the recommendations outlined in the document.
The EHRC report published today found that there were “unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination”, “serious failings in leadership” and an “inadequate” process for antisemitism complaints.
Starmer told the press conference: “I found this report hard to read. And it is a day of shame for the Labour Party. We have failed Jewish people. Our members. Our supporters. And the British public.
“And so: on behalf of the Labour Party: I am truly sorry for all the pain and grief that has been caused… I will act. Never again will Labour let you down. Never again will we fail to tackle antisemitism and never again will we lose your trust.”
He added: “The Labour Party I lead accepts this report in full. And without qualification. We will implement all the recommendations. And we will implement them in full. That process starts today.”
The Labour leader said he had already instructed his staff members to start work with the Commission to start the implementation of the recommendations set out in the report published today.
Starmer said the party is working to address the backlog of antisemitism complaints referred to the party, adding: “There will be more cases completed in the last six months than in the whole of 2019.”
In comments that some interpreted as referring to former leader Jeremy Corbyn, Starmer declared: “If you’re antisemitic, you should be nowhere near this party. And we’ll make sure you’re not.
“And if after all the pain, all the grief, and all the evidence in this report, there are still those who think there’s no problem with antisemitism in the Labour Party. That it’s all exaggerated, or a factional attack.
“Then, frankly, you are part of the problem too. And you should be nowhere near the Labour Party either.”
Corbyn has claimed in response to the EHRC report that the “the scale of the [antisemitism] problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party”.
Asked whether further action would be taken against Jeremy Corbyn and other individuals, Starmer said: “There is a collective finding of a failure of leadership and we need to understand that and accept that…
“But there were not individual findings against Jeremy and others. It is incumbent on all of us to accept the findings, all of us to act on the recommendations and all of us including myself to apologise.”
Asked whether he would welcome back former Labour MPs who left the party due to antisemitism, Starmer said: “I can’t speak for them but the test I’ve set for myself is when they and others feel it’s safe to return to the Labour Party.”
The EHRC concluded that Labour is responsible for three breaches of the Equality Act relating to political interference in antisemitism complaints; failure to provide adequate training to those handling them; and harassment.
Analysis of evidence by the body has also found that there was a “culture” within the Labour Party that “at best, did not do enough to prevent antisemitism and, at worst, could be seen to accept it”.
The complainant in the EHRC investigation, the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said in response to the report: “The debate is over. Under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, the Labour Party became institutionally antisemitic…
“Sir Keir Starmer now has a long list of reforms to make, including establishing an independent disciplinary process so that those who put Britain’s Jews in fear for their future in this country can at last be held to account for their deeds.
“To that end, we have submitted complaints against Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and 14 other sitting MPs and have given Labour six months to conduct transparent investigations and finally deliver justice for the Jewish community.”
A number of recommendations have been made for Labour around living up to its zero-tolerance commitment on antisemitism, rebuilding trust, education and training and on monitoring and evaluating improvements.
Labour has been served with an unlawful act notice following the investigation. The party has six weeks to produce an action plan in response to the findings and recommendations of the report published today.
Starmer has pledged to implement an independent complaints process “as quickly as possible” and he hopes that this will be “early next year”. Rule changes would normally require conference approval.
The party has until December 10th to deliver an action plan to the EHRC on how it will implement the recommendations and when. This is legally enforceable by the court if not fulfilled.
CLICK TO READ THE REPORT.
Below is the full text of the statement made by Keir Starmer today.
This morning the Equality and Human Rights Commission published their final report into anti-semitism in the Labour Party. I want to thank Caroline Waters, David Isaac and everyone at the Commission for their work in the last year and a half. It is a comprehensive, rigorous, and thoroughly professional report.
When the Commission was set up by the last Labour Government to tackle discrimination, promote equality, and protect human rights. It never occurred to me or anyone else, that one day the Labour Party would be investigated for breaching the equality legislation that a Labour Government had introduced.
Worse still, that the Labour Party would be found to have committed unlawful acts under that same legislation. But that is what this report finds. Both in terms of unlawful harassment through the acts of our agents and unlawful indirect discrimination. The report’s conclusions are clear. And stark. They leave no room for equivocation.
The report finds: serious failings in leadership, processes and culture in dealing with anti-semitism within our party; specific examples of unlawful harassment and unlawful indirect discrimination; “clear examples” of political interference from the Leaders’ Office in anti-semitism cases; an inadequate process for handling complaints of anti-semitism; a failure to deliver adequate training for staff responsible for investigating cases; repeated failure to implement the recommendations of previous reports into anti-semitism; a culture that is, and I quote: “at odds with the Labour Party’s commitment to zero-tolerance of anti-semitism”; and – perhaps most telling of all: “a clear breakdown of trust between the Labour Party, many of its members and the Jewish community.”
I found this report hard to read. And it is a day of shame for the Labour Party. We have failed Jewish people. Our members. Our supporters. And the British public. And so: on behalf of the Labour Party: I am truly sorry for all the pain and grief that has been caused.
To Jewish people, our Jewish members, our long-standing Jewish affiliate, JLM. To the people driven out of our Party, the Jewish Members driven out of Parliament, including Louise Ellman and Luciana Berger. And to the members of Labour Party staff who spoke out, I want to say this: I know how hard these last few years have been for you. How painful today will be and how hard you have had to fight to have your voices heard.
So let me be clear, I hear you. And I can promise you this: I will act. Never again will Labour let you down. Never again will we fail to tackle anti-semitism. And never again will we lose your trust. The Labour Party I lead accepts this report in full. And without qualification. We will implement all the recommendations.
And we will implement them in full. That process starts today. I have already instructed my staff to start work with the Commission to implement the recommendations at the earliest possible opportunity. We will provide the Commission with our action plan to achieve all of this within six weeks. We will establish an independent complaints process – and it will be in place as soon as possible in the New Year.
We will ensure that neither the Leader, the Deputy Leader nor our offices will have any involvement in the outcome of complaints initiated under the Labour Party processes. And we are already addressing the backlog of anti-semitism cases. In fact, there have been more cases completed in the last six months than in the whole of 2019. But we will go much further. And we must go further.
Because – as the report makes clear – this cannot be solved just by changing the Labour Party’s processes and structures. We also need a culture change in the Labour Party. It must become, once again, an open and welcoming place for people from all backgrounds, and all communities.
Under my leadership, zero-tolerance of anti-semitism will mean precisely that. If you’re anti-semitic, you should be nowhere near this Party. And we’ll make sure you’re not. And if – after all the pain, all the grief, and all the evidence in this report, there are still those who think there’s no problem with anti-semitism in the Labour Party. That it’s all exaggerated, or a factional attack. Then, frankly, you are part of the problem too. And you should be nowhere near the Labour Party either.
This report is painful to read. But I urge everyone to do so. Because this must be a line in the sand. There can be no more missed opportunities. No more denials or excuses. Under my leadership, Labour will act decisively against anti-semitism in all its forms. We will repair the breach. I know it will take time. And hard work. But when I stood for leader of this Party, I was clear that my first priority would be to root out anti-semitism. And rebuild trust.
That started in April. We have made progress. It will intensify today. But I will only consider it a success when those members who left our Party because of anti-semitism feel safe to return. And when we no longer hear the words “Labour” and “anti-semitism” in the same sentence. Thank you.