In view of the concerted efforts to use anti-Semitism as a means of undermining Jeremy Corbyn, we are happy here to circulate a model resolution from the website of Jewish Voice For Labour, an association of Jewish members of the Labour Party which is supportive of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. Please consider moving this resolution at your Constituency Labour Party.
This branch/CLP notes that:
- Chris Williamson, Labour MP for Derby North, has been suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation into a “pattern of behaviour”, following comments he made to the effect that Labour’s response to accusations of entrenched antisemitism had been unnecessarily defensive.
- A number of Labour MPs labelled Williamson’s comments as antisemitic, and wrote to General Secretary Jennie Formby demanding that he be suspended.
- Deputy Leader Tom Watson has unilaterally launched a parallel complaints investigations system, in order to “log and monitor” antisemitic abuse.
- Labour Party General Secretary, Jennie Formby, has rebuked Tom Watson for his “absolutely inappropriate” actions.
- Jeremy Corbyn describes Chris Williamson as “a very good, very effective Labour MP. He’s a very strong anti-racist campaigner. He is not anti-semitic in any way.”
This branch/CLP believes that:
- The Labour Party is making a concerted effort to investigate cases of antisemitism that are reported to it and take appropriate action.
This branch/CLP calls on the Labour National Executive Committee to:
- Condemn the Labour MPs attempting to prejudice investigations through the Labour Party’s proper processes and procedures by publicly labelling individual members of the Labour Party, such as Chris Willliamson, as antisemitic and publicly applying pressure for those individuals to be suspended.
- Investigate Tom Watson’s contravention of party rules in setting up a parallel system to monitor the Party’s complaints process.
This branch/CLP gives full support to Chris Williamson and calls on other CLPs and labour movement bodies to do so as well.
June 30, 2019
