Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown joins JLM as affiliate member

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has joined the Jewish Labour movement as an affiliate member, and has called on others to do the same in a stirring video.

Featuring in a three minute clip from anti-racism charity Hope Not Hate, the former PM reflects on the rise of abuse and Jew-hate, including a reported 2000 percent rise in online attacks.

This comes ahead of the Jewish Labour Movement’s annual general meeting next Sunday, which will include a vote on its affiliation to the party, amid a row over claims of antisemitism in Labour. Last month at an emergency meeting, JLM members voted to to remain affiliated.

While paying respects to Sir Nicholas Winton, the architect of the Kindertransport who saved hundreds of Jewish children from the Nazis – and who joined Labour in 1936 – Brown says; “the Labour Party has always had a long, proud and noble tradition of standing up against all forms of prejudice and racism.”

During the video shot at Liverpool Street Station, he adds that “in the last few years it has let the Jewish community down. They should never have allowed legitimate criticism of the current Israeli government to act as a cover for the demonization of the entire Jewish people.

“The message to the Jewish community should be clear and unequivocal: ‘You will never walk alone and we will never walk on by on the other side. We must never tolerate intolerance.

“Solidarity means standing up with those who are under attack and that is why I am joining as an affiliated member. I urge all my colleagues to do the same.

“Tackling antisemitism and racism and fighting for equality is not a diversion nor a distraction from our purpose as party. It IS our purpose as a party. We will never allow evil to triumph over good and neither will the British people.”

Following the video, London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote: “‘Solidarity means standing up with those who are under attack’. Gordon Brown is absolutely right. The Labour Party should always stand up for Britain’s Jewish community and all Labour members should stand with Jewish Labour.”

Other Labour politicians suppported his call, with deputy leader Tom Watson writing he was “so proud of Gordon Brown today” and Dame Margaret Hodge saying: “It’s what solidarity & rebuilding trust with the Jewish community looks like. A brilliant message on the anti-racism values that must underpin the Labour Party and a call to renew our commitment to the  Jewish Labour Movement”.