Jewish councillor resigns saying Labour ‘a welcoming place for antisemites’

A Jewish councillor in Hastings has resigned from Labour over concerns it has become “a welcoming environment for antisemites”.

Councillor Dany Louise, who is a member of Brighton and Hove Progressive Shul, will continue to serve her ward as an independent after she resigned the Labour whip yesterday.

In a letter published on her blog, Louise writes: “Despite numerous calls for the leadership to deal with antisemitism in the Party effectively, unequivocally, and speedily, they have failed to do so over a period of several years.

“Antisemitism remains not just tolerated within the party, but it seems, actively encouraged”.

The councillor also came out in defence of the Wavertree Liverpool MP Luciana Berger, who faced two now-withdrawn motions of no-confidence in her local party after speaking out against antisemitism.

Louise cites concerns Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell are prepared to throw Luciana Berger “to the wolves”.

“Luciana Berger is an inspiring role-model, and a real-life contemporary hero,” she writes. “She should be celebrated as a person and MP of outstanding courage and integrity.”

“It is unacceptable that Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell were prepared to throw her to the wolves they have encouraged into the Party,” the letter reads.

In a tweet, the Jewish Labour Movement  (JLM) urged the Labour party and leadership to treat claims of antisemitism in Labour as “the urgent moral crisis that it is”.

The JLM added: “It is awful that our member, Cllr Dany Louise, of Hastings Council and Brighton & Hove Progressive Shul has felt compelled, like many others, to resign the Labour whip & her Labour membership. “

In a tweet sent to Jeremy Corbyn yesterday, Neil Coyle, the Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, wrote: “I can’t make Parliamentary Committee today & as emails are screened I thought I’d tweet the boss instead.

“So@jeremycorbyn here goes. Members leaving in their thousands over Brexit. Cllrs quitting. MPs will leave. Antisemitism continues in your name. Only you can change all this”.