Has the Labour Party unlawfully discriminated against Jewish people?
The UK's human rights watchdog is opening an investigation into race allegations against Labour.
The move comes after the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) and Campaign Against Antisemitism submitted dossiers specifying large numbers of Jew-hate allegations last year.
The JLM has been affiliated to the Labour Party since 1920. Around 80 per cent of members voted to retain links, at least until April's annual general meeting.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said earlier that it was considering launching a formal investigation into antisemitism within the party.
A representative for the EHRC said: “We believe Labour may have unlawfully discriminated against people because of their ethnicity and religious beliefs. Our concerns are sufficient for us to consider using our statutory enforcement powers. As set out in our enforcement policy, we are now engaging with the Labour Party to give them an opportunity to respond.”
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/news/antisemitism-labour-party-our-response-complaints
Rejecting any internal claims of racism, the Labour Party responded: "We completely reject any suggestion the party has acted unlawfully and will be co-operating fully with the EHRC."
And what exactly is Southport Labour’s view on antisemitism within their party?
Southport’s Labour group has recently been posting a self-promotional political leaflet through doors in the town. This glossy flyer held the names of their latest candidates, as well as the traditional spin against their political opponents. However, there is not even one mention of the national crisis within their party regarding antisemitic allegations, which their leader Corbyn has failed to properly address. There was also no mention of the UK human rights watchdog’s probe that is currently being initiated against them, why?
Surely the Southport public has a right to know what these eager Labour candidates think about this growing crisis, within the party that they are trying so hard to sell to us? Local issues are vital yes but turning a blind eye to a national crisis regarding alleged politically-based racism will never instil confidence within any UK community.
History teaches us one thing very well: Intolerance kills!
Former Home Secretary, Jack Straw, recently bulldozed into Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, over his inability to tackle antisemitism in the Labour Party and the "vile" rhetoric adopted by his supporters aimed at "targeting" the Jewish Community. Mr Straw stated that the fiasco has pushed Jewish organisations to be in "active opposition" to the Party ending a long-lasting history of understanding between the Jewish Community and Labour.
The watchdog is asking the party to work with it to improve its processes. The party will have 14 days to respond to the concerns raised, after the EHRC's formal letter is received by Labour.
However, not all Labour activists seem eager to fully assist the human rights watchdog. Huda Elmi, a member of Labour's ruling NEC, said the Equality and Human Rights Commission was a 'failed experiment'.
Lynne Featherstone, a Liberal Democrat peer, responded: 'This is a world gone mad. Huda - dissing the EHRC because it says something you don't like is fascism. Shame on you!'
Somewhat ironically, the EHRC was set up by a Labour government to be tough on racism and tough on the causes of racism. Now it seems that the watchdog has returned to bite a very chaotic party that is believed by many observers to be tearing itself to shreds.
Whatever the outcome of the potentially damaging watchdog's probe, it does seem that Labour is facing some very interesting times ahead.
See also
Enough is Enough protest: Labour MPs join hundreds of activists outside Parliament in a campaign to stamp out antisemitism in party
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/enough-is-enough-protest-labour-mps-join-hundreds-of-activists-outside-parliament-in-campaign-to-a3799546.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45030552
https://www.otsnews.co.uk/tory-racism-axis-was-apology-enough/
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