3 ms·

The centrists of the Labour party conducted literal purges after intentionally smearing their own party with fabricated allegations of homophobia and anti-semi

by Jochim 4y ago

The centrists of the Labour party conducted literal purges after intentionally smearing their own party with fabricated allegations of homophobia and anti-semitism which they spread through the media[0]. Not to mention sabotaging campaign activities by directing resources away from swing seats. There is certainly animosity from the left but largely due to the ironically Stalin-esque tactics employed by Labour centrists. I find it frankly perplexing that people can characterise the leftist elements of the Labour party as the aggressors in these circumstances. [0] https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/labour-files-forde-report-keir-starmer-racism-b2198773.html https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/labour-files-forde-repo...

hermitcrab 4y ago
That link is not happy reading. I guess it is not surprising that the centrists hate the left back. However saying someone is “truly repulsive” or “literally makes me sick” is not necessarily racist, just because they are from an ethnic minority (note: I don't know the full context). I have wondered how real the accusations of anti-semitism in the Labour party were. Is it a deliberate conflation of anti-Israel with anti-semitism by political opponents (who I assumed were Conservatives, rather than Labour)? If we had PR it would probably be better for the Labour party to split into 2 parties. I don't see that happening under FPTP though.
- Jochim 4y ago
  > I have wondered how real the accusations of anti-semitism in the Labour party were. Is it a deliberate conflation of anti-Israel with anti-semitism by political opponents (who I assumed were Conservatives, rather than Labour)? This is precisely what seems to have happened. Unelected officials on the right of the Labour party appear to have been at the forefront however. I don't doubt that there are some people in the Labour party that might harbour anti-semitic views. Those people should be removed. However, the only word I can think of to describe the reaction at the time is "Hysteria". The thing I find most disturbing about this is the willingness of those in power at the Labour party to target at least 35 Jewish members with claims of anti-semitism[0]: > An 82-year-old Jewish woman, who is being investigated by Labour for alleged antisemitism for the third time in less than three years, is threatening legal action against the party, claiming it has unlawfully discriminated against her based on her belief in anti-Zionism. [1] > The Labour Party has expelled one of its most prominent Jewish members – by telling a right-wing newspaper first, and allowing a journalist to leak it. [2] [0] https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/article/a-disproportionate-number-of-jewish-labour-party-members-are-being-suspended/ https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/article/a-disproport... [1] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/20/jewish-woman-accused-antisemitism-labour-threatens-sue-anti-zionism https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/20/jewish-woma... [2] https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2022/12/16/labour-has-expelled-a-jewish-nec-member-from-the-party/ https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2022/12/16/labour-has-expelled-a...

by Jochim 4y ago

hermitcrab 4y ago

That link is not happy reading. I guess it is not surprising that the centrists hate the left back. However saying someone is “truly repulsive” or “literally makes me sick” is not necessarily racist, just because they are from an ethnic minority (note: I don't know the full context). I have wondered how real the accusations of anti-semitism in the Labour party were. Is it a deliberate conflation of anti-Israel with anti-semitism by political opponents (who I assumed were Conservatives, rather than Labour)? If we had PR it would probably be better for the Labour party to split into 2 parties. I don't see that happening under FPTP though.

Jochim 4y ago
> I have wondered how real the accusations of anti-semitism in the Labour party were. Is it a deliberate conflation of anti-Israel with anti-semitism by political opponents (who I assumed were Conservatives, rather than Labour)? This is precisely what seems to have happened. Unelected officials on the right of the Labour party appear to have been at the forefront however. I don't doubt that there are some people in the Labour party that might harbour anti-semitic views. Those people should be removed. However, the only word I can think of to describe the reaction at the time is "Hysteria". The thing I find most disturbing about this is the willingness of those in power at the Labour party to target at least 35 Jewish members with claims of anti-semitism[0]: > An 82-year-old Jewish woman, who is being investigated by Labour for alleged antisemitism for the third time in less than three years, is threatening legal action against the party, claiming it has unlawfully discriminated against her based on her belief in anti-Zionism. [1] > The Labour Party has expelled one of its most prominent Jewish members – by telling a right-wing newspaper first, and allowing a journalist to leak it. [2] [0] https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/article/a-disproportionate-number-of-jewish-labour-party-members-are-being-suspended/ https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/article/a-disproport... [1] https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/20/jewish-woman-accused-antisemitism-labour-threatens-sue-anti-zionism https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/20/jewish-woma... [2] https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2022/12/16/labour-has-expelled-a-jewish-nec-member-from-the-party/ https://www.thecanary.co/uk/2022/12/16/labour-has-expelled-a...