Jack Lubner elected national chair of Labour’s youth section

Rising star of the community Jack Lubner has been elected as new national chair of the youth section of the Labour Party.

Lubner,22 the Jewish Labour Movement’s southern organiser, was confirmed as the national chair of Young Labour after securing  2,397 votes – more than double that of his Socialist Future-backed rival Alex Charilaou (1,135).

The ex-president of Cambridge University’s Jewish Society was one of the triumphant candidates on the Organise slate, which was backed by pro-Keir Starmer campaign group Labour to Win, a partnership between Labour First and Progressive Britain.

The results represented one of the most resounding defeats for the hard-left in years in Labour, in sections of the party it had previously managed to control.

Only three out of 45 positions remained under the control of non centre-left candidates as the results were announced on Monday.

Speaking to Jewish News, immediately after he was elected Alyth Synagogue member Lubner, also the choice of the Open Labour group, said:”This shows how much the party has changed.

“It is now a safe place where Jews can run and engage without being labelled ‘the Jewish candidate'”.

He added:”Throughout the past few years I’ve been proactive sitting on the national executive of LGBT Labour, fighting homophobia and transphobia.

“And broadly working with friends across all different faiths, also fighting Islamophobia and racism, inside the party and wherever we find it in society.”

Lubner had pledged to restore Young Labour as a properly functioning youth wing, which had been at the centre of several controversies involving the far-left under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

He told supporters who backed him this was a “once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver a Labour government” and pledged to help bring in measures to help young members with affordable travel to enable them to campaign for candidates across the country in elections more easily.

Hailing Lubner’s victory Adam Langleben, executive director of the Progressive Britain group, and former JLM national secretary told Jewish News: “This is proof of the change inside the Labour Party.

“Hard left Momentum completely trounced by centre left Labour members, including JLMs Jack Lubner. Of over 45 positions up for election, the hard left only one in three contests.”

“I was first introduced to Jack by my Rabbi at Alyth shul who told me of a school kid wanting to help fight antisemitism in the Labour Party. Years later he is now elected as National Chair of Young Labour. We’ve all been on quite a journey and Labour is ready to serve the country.”

Lubner is also a trustee with the Yachad organisation having been a senior youth leader in RSY-Netzer youth movement.

In 2020 Lubner was named as one of the rising stars of the community, securing a place in Jewish News Twenty-Five Under 25 listing.

He added:“The hard work of rebuilding our youth wing starts now. This result shows that young members want to unite and deliver a Labour government that will change young people’s lives for the better.

“I cannot wait to get to work, meet young members across our country and help build the youth wing they deserve.”

The elections saw candidates selected for the Young Labour committee as well as regional representatives.