If Keir Starmer thinks he’s calming the rage over Labour anti-Semitism, he’s only made it worse
Keir Starmer: he’s no leader – not even a fake military one, as depicted in this mock-up.
It is worth pointing out, on the day Keir Starmer paid out around £600,000 and apologised to so-called anti-Semitism “whistleblowers”, that his actions are only perpetuating the saga – prolonging the agony.
Take his sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey from the Labour front bench a few weeks ago: on Monday, Labour Party members, supported by Salford TUC, made a formal complaint – I take it to the party’s National Executive Committee – about Starmer’s conduct.
The group points out that Ms Long-Bailey’s sacking on the pretext of her having shared a link to an interview with a constituent who shared an “anti-Semitic conspiracy theory” is wrong, for these reasons:
- Maxine Peake’s statement – that US police learned from Israeli operatives the method of killing people (like George Floyd) by exerting pressure on their necks with a knee – may well be accurate; there is evidence available to that effect.
- There are unimpeachable arguments that Ms Peake’s statement was not anti-Semitic in any case.
The group wants an appropriate and thorough investigation of whether Starmer’s publicly-stated reason for sacking Ms Long-Bailey was accurate, proportionate and fair.
If it was not, then the group wants a public statement to that effect, including that the party will always challenge unfair dismissal in whatever context; an apology to Ms Long-Bailey; and her reinstatement to her former shadow cabinet post – or an appropriately-substantial such post – at the earliest opportunity.
It is doubtful that Labour under Starmer is capable of carrying out an appropriate and thorough investigation of anything. But it will be interesting to see how the party’s leaders respond.
And this is just the tip of an ever-growing iceberg. Already challenges are being prepared against the use of party members’ subscription money to pay off the group who appeared on Panorama to denounce Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour leadership.
And concerns that Starmer is about to remove the Labour whip from Jeremy Corbyn are provoking a strong response.
Party members are already demanding to know why their membership money is being used in such a perverse way, and (so far) Starmer has been unable to come up with a response.
It seems clear that if he continues to use party money to fund unfounded attacks on members, he is likely to face a very large rebellion by grassroots members.
He came on as the blazing hope for the Labour Party when he was elected in April.
If he doesn’t want to drop out as a damp squib after only three months (and change) as leader, he’d better rethink his approach double-quick.
Source: Formal Complaint Against Sir Starmer – Unity News
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If only Rebecca Long-Bailey, the left’s candidate, had won the leadership election then things would have been so different ?
This is what RLB clearly stated during the leadership hustings.
““Asked about the Labour whistleblowers who appeared on Panorama, however, Long-Bailey was willing to criticise the leadership. She said: “I don’t think the party gave the right response. We should not have called out or attacked former members of staff… We should apologise for how we behaved. We should settle any claims that were made.”. She also confirmed that she would welcome Luciana Berger and Louise Ellman back into the party, saying what they “have been through was absolutely shocking”.
Is there something lurking in the background that has yet to be revealed.
You’re making a false argument. I certainly haven’t said RLB would have been a good choice as leader, as everyone knows who has read my articles on the subject.
In any case, she had her chance and blew it.
Mike – I am struggling to understand why you are claiming the above is a false argument. Firstly your opinion of RLB is irrelevant in this context, I’m not accusing you of anything.
I have simply pointed out that if RLB had won the leadership then the decision that you are castigating KS for would have been the same.
I can’t see why it is wrong to question and/or speculate what led RLB (the candidate of the left) to make the above very unambiguous statement that I have highlighted above.
I simply ask is there something that they know, that we don’t, that led both RLB and KS to reach the same conclusion.
You were accusing me. You were trying to claim that I was saying things would have been different if RLB had been elected leader. I wasn’t. You need to stop making these insinuations and then claiming not to have done so – it makes you look untrustworthy.
You have no idea whether RLB would have made the same decision as Starmer. You are merely speculating on a matter that is irrelevant, in an attempt to discredit one person and raise another.
Your picture of Starmer at the top puts me in mind of a grown up Private Pike, I wonder why..?
if Jeremy Corbyn leaves labour or has the whip removed then i hope he starts a new party! i cannot vote for labour as it now stands!
Keir Starmers success really gets to you people. After the decilne of our party under Mr Corbyn we now are on the up. The left always gets put in their place.
What success?
Starmer is well on his way to his goal of his own little fiefdom in Westminster with none of those pesky members to worry about. Much as it was under Blair. Much as it was in 2015. With FPTP voting on a party basis, no one else can get in, and Labour’s function is to not rock the boat.
“… He come on as the blazing hope for the Labour Party when he was elected in April ….” typo alert!
Ta. I could be cheeky and say it’s because I’m Bristolian and that’s the way I talk, but it’s really just a typo.