Tag: Luciana Berger

The seven MPs who left Labour on Monday all cited irreconcilable differences with the party’s Brexit policy, and the way it has dealt with antisemitism and bullying allegations. Chuka Umunna in particular has been a leading figure in the People’s Vote campaign for a second referendum and led a parliamentary rebellion on an amendment to the Queen’s speech, which said the UK should remain in the single market and customs union. On almost all other domestic issues, including welfare and the economy, MPs have voted with the party whip, though Umunna, Chris Leslie, Luciana Berger, Angela Smith, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey all voted in favour of strikes in Syria against Islamic State, the opposite way to Corbyn, although it was a free vote. Foreign affairs and national security Apart from Brexit and antisemitism, national security policy is a key difference. The group’s statement of intent says the “first duty of government must be to defend its people and do whatever it takes to safeguard Britain’s national security”. The Independent Group’s statement underlines “the sound stewardship of taxpayers’ money” as one of its core values, echoing some of the group’s early unease with Corbyn’s leadership bid. In her resignation speech, Smith cited her working-class background as a reason for her departure. It also implicitly criticises the Labour party membership system and the concept of MPs being accountable to party members. For now, the group has no name or leader for a new party, let alone policies or a manifesto. Some members of the Independent Group have their own policy ideas which they are likely to be keen to promote.

Jeremy Corbyn has condemned the vilification and abuse of Labour MPs who attended Monday night’s demonstration against antisemitism in the party. As leaders of the Jewish organisations that staged the protest told him that they would not meet him until he intervened to halt the attacks on social media, Corbyn said he was profoundly concerned by any abuse. “People have the right to speak out and the right to demonstrate,” he told the Jewish News in his first ever interview with a Jewish newspaper. “I will not tolerate abuse of people for their beliefs.” “Any abuse that’s done is not done in my name,” he added. He also rejected the idea – put forward by a rival demonstration by the Jewish Voice for Labour on Monday – that the reason for the main protest was to smear Corbyn himself. “I don’t see that as a smear.” But his remarks failed to silence his critics. “He’s squandered a wonderful opportunity to speak to the Jewish community in a week when they needed it most.” In the interview, Corbyn was challenged repeatedly to condemn the way MPs who attended the protest have been attacked. He also defended David Lammy, the Tottenham MP who went to the protest to support Jewish constituents. “They need to hear you say, publicly and your own voice, that we had every right to protest about antisemitism, and that Labour MPs had every right to support us … that anyone directing abused, intimidation or threats at those of us who oppose antisemitism is damaging your efforts to eliminate it.” The Skwawkbox, a leftwing blog, emailed several MPs, including John Woodcock, Ian Austin and Wes Streeting, challenging them to prove they opposed all racism in a way that implied their opposition to antisemitism was only a way of attacking the party leadership. In his interview, Corbyn insisted the investigations into allegations of antisemitism made against Livingstone must follow due process.