In the wake of Ann Widdecombe’s murder, JOHN GREEN wonders whether the government will really get to grips with the root cause of these attacks on our MPs
I DON’T watch much television. It’s bad for my blood pressure. Especially since events last Thursday when my local MP, Jeremy Corbyn, a Labour Party member for 55 years, MP for 37 of them, was summarily suspended after he issued a careful, measured and honest response to the EHRC Report. Corbyn reiterated his abhorrence of anti-Semitism, urged the party swiftly to implement the EHRC’s recommendations, but questioned some of its findings.
Since then, every time I turn on the television, I hear a different non-Jewish commentator telling me — a Jewish Labour Party member — how I feel, and how much hurt the Jewish community has felt, and how unsafe the Labour Party has been for Jews during the period when Corbyn led the party. One of those commentators was Starmer, who apologised to the Jewish community on behalf of the party.
But here’s a novel idea: don’t tell me how I feel, ask me instead. Or indeed, ask us — Jewish members in Islington North CLP. We are the Jews with whom Corbyn has had the most frequent contact over the last five years, who discuss, canvass and campaign with him week in, week out.
The PM leaves office having squandered Labour’s electoral mandate and alienated its grassroots. He will not be missed, writes BRIAN LEISHMAN MP
As antisemitism grows, the labour movement must recommit to defence of minorities while navigating the complexities of Gaza and global politics, argues NICK WRIGHT
Apart from a bright spark of hope in the victory of the Gaza motion, this year’s conference lacked vision and purpose — we need to urgently reconnect Labour with its roots rather than weakly aping the flag-waving right, argues KIM JOHNSON MP


