“The Labour Party should adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism and all eleven of its associated examples.”
Monica Lennon
Yesterday I had a lengthy and constructive meeting with representatives of the Jewish community, listening to their concerns about antisemitism in Scotland and within the Labour Party. There is no place for antisemitism in the Labour Party and there is work to do to eradicate antisemitism and other forms of prejudice from our party and wider society.
Monica Lennon
These discussions reinforced my view that the Labour Party should adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism and all eleven of its associated examples and further consultation by the NEC provides an opportunity for this.
The priority now is to rebuild the trust and confidence of Jewish people who feel let down and hurt by the conduct of some Labour members and we’ll only get there by working more closely with Jewish and equality organisations. Jeremy Corbyn and Richard Leonard are both committed to fighting antisemitism as is the whole of the Labour Party. I am grateful to Jewish organisations in Scotland for their guidance and willingness to engage with Scottish Labour on our internal review on equality and diversity issues.
Through education and sharing best practice, we can all learn to be more respectful of others and take proportionate and appropriate action when misconduct arises.
No political party should be complacent and all should look to their own culture, policies and procedures because racism in all its forms, sectarianism, LGBT+ prejudice, sexism and sexual harassment and discrimination against disabled people all exist and intersect in the mainstream political environment.
Through education and sharing best practice, we can all learn to be more respectful of others and take proportionate and appropriate action when misconduct arises.
♦ Monica Lennon is a Labour MSP for Central Scotland and shadow cabinet secretary for communities, social security and equalities
