WORCESTER’S former Labour MP “genuinely fears” the anti-Semitism row which has engulfed the party will have an impact on results in tomorrow’s local elections. However, he suggested it would be devastating for local campaigners if that happened.
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The Labour leader, who appears likely to suffer setbacks elsewhere in Britain, will be able to say that his party has recaptured one of the biggest prizes in British politics.
Leader Mr Corbyn has announced an “expert-led” inquiry into any perceived anti-Semitism within Labour.
Four times, Mr Cameron called on Mr Corbyn to withdraw his remarks, made in 2009, referring to Hamas as “friends”.
Meanwhile, in the Times, Melanie Phillips says that the demonisation of Israel by much of the left can not be isolated from anti-Semitism, saying that “hatred of Israel and Jews can not be separated”. The Scottish National Party, which past year rode the tide of post-independence referendum excitement to win half of all the general-election votes and 56 out of 59 House of Commons seats, is expected to repeat that performance in voting for the Scottish Parliament.
“The Prime Minister should also reflect on the words of Lord Lansley some years ago when he said that racism was “endemic” within his party”.
However, poll predictions fell after an anti-Semitism row that involved former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone being suspended from the party. However he failed to directly withdraw his previous comments about Hamas and Hezbollah.
But Mr Corbyn hit back, insisting he did not approve of Hamas and Hezbollah, making clear any anti-Semitic organisation was “no friend of mine” while he defended Mr Khan against what he branded were Mr Cameron’s “systematic smears” against his colleague. He is warning his team that they must work hard to encourage Labour supporters to vote because a low turnout could help his Tory rival Zac Goldsmith.
The controversy could affect the party in the elections, with one poll finding that only 8.5% of British Jews would vote Labour in Thursday’s election. “I suggest he might think about doing the same thing”.
“It might have an impact on Mayoral elections, I hope not”.
For example, in a blog post he wrote about U.S. vice president Joe Biden failing to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza, Kelly said: “If you ever wondered how powerful the Jewish lobby is in America there is an example for you right there”.
Meanwhile, Corbyn’s allies have briefed The Telegraph that the Labour leader could use his support for the Remain campaign in the European Union to force his detractors to back down.
Likud Minister Gilad Erdan lamented “it’s shocking how immoral these stances are”, adding that the recently publicised comments by Labour members are not legitimate criticism of Israel, but “hatred and racism”.
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A Newport councillor has been suspended from Labour as the party comes under intense pressure to root out anti-semitism. In recent weeks, Conservatives have seen losses to independents in council byelections at Allerdale, Craven, East Riding of Yorkshire and North Kesteven.
