Cabinet Minister accuses Labour of allowing anti-Jewish racism to go mainstream
Labour is being held accountable for the surge in hateful antisemitism seen on the streets of Britain, as stated by a Cabinet Minister. Tory Party chairman Richard Holden pointed fingers at the Labour Party, suggesting they have permitted anti-Jewish racism to become widespread.
Labour's failure to address antisemitism problem
Holden criticized Labour, emphasizing that the party still grapples with a "huge problem" concerning antisemitism and accused Sir Keir Starmer of attempting to brush recent controversies under the rug.
Labour's missteps leading to George Galloway's win in Rochdale
The Cabinet Minister's remarks come after George Galloway emerged victorious in the Rochdale by-election when Labour withdrew their candidate Azhar Ali amidst an antisemitism uproar. Holden highlighted that Labour's decision-making had allowed anti-Jewish hatred to gain traction in society.
Tories demand answers from Labour
The Tories have reached out to Labour seeking clarification on whether suspended candidate Graham Jones will be running for Labour, as his social media presence indicates he is still the local candidate. Holden urged Labour to confront the issue head-on instead of evading responsibility.
Previous EHRC findings and government action
In 2020, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) determined that the Labour Party had breached the law in its handling of antisemitism during Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a £72 million security package for Jewish institutions in response to the concerning rise in antisemitic incidents.
Prince William expresses concern over antisemitism
This week, Prince William voiced his unease over the escalating antisemitism levels during a visit to a synagogue. Hate crimes targeting Jews reached a peak of 4,000 last year, according to data from the Jewish Community Security Trust.
Labour's response and Tory criticism
A Labour spokesperson defended Keir Starmer's efforts in combating racism within the party, particularly antisemitism. Meanwhile, the Tories criticized Labour, emphasizing that the responsibility for the current crisis lies with the Labour Party's failure to evolve.
