Labour MP vows no return for ‘antisemites and revolutionary communists’ at packed PLP meeting
NEC member Gurinder Singh MP addressed comments made by colleagues Barry Gardiner and Andy Macdonald
A senior Labour MP has vowed never to allow “antisemites and revolutionary communists” back into the party, responding to left-wing calls for Keir Starmer to broaden Labour’s ideological reach.
Speaking at a packed meeting of the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) on Monday—where the Prime Minister sought to reassert his authority amid the Peter Mandelson crisis—National Executive Committee member Gurinder Singh Josan MP addressed comments made by colleagues Barry Gardiner and Andy Macdonald.
“I also believe in a broad church Labour Party,” Josan told MPs in Westminster. “But not the 2015 broad church that allowed antisemites and revolutionary communists in the party.”
Earlier, Gardiner and Macdonald had argued that Labour under Starmer had become too ideologically narrow.
Jewish News spoke to MPs and peers after the PLP meeting, at which Starmer reportedly received repeated applause.
Veteran Jewish peer Lord Levy praised the Prime Minister, saying he had “won hands down without even a negative murmur” from critics.
Starmer told Labour MPs and peers: “I have won every fight I’ve ever been in.
“I fought to change the Crown Prosecution Service so it better served victims of violence against women and girls.
“I fought to change the Labour Party to allow us to win an election again.
“People told me I couldn’t do it. And then they gradually said, you might just get over the line.
“We won with a landslide majority. Every fight I’ve been in, I have won.”
Pic PA
Justice minister and Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman commended Singh for his “strong stance on antisemitism.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said, “Keir spoke brilliantly and was extremely well received by nearly all in the room.” Reeves was also seen embracing colleagues as they left, thanking them for their support.
She said: “Everyone said, Keir is a man of great integrity and he is the person with a mandate to deliver the change that all of our constituents want to see.
“The last few days have been very, very difficult for the country, most importantly for the victims of Epstein, difficult for the party.
“Mistakes have been made but lessons will be learned.”
Both David Lammy and Richard Hermer KC praised Starmer for displaying “fight and belief in his ability to transform the country.”
While the meeting was carefully orchestrated by Labour whips to showcase support for the Prime Minister during a serious challenge to his leadership, some MPs used the occasion to raise questions—such as concerns about the appointment of former communications chief Matthew Doyle as a peer.
Left-wing MP Clive Lewis had been scheduled to ask a question to the Prime Minister, which he had tabled in advance, but appeared to leave the meeting early.
Outside, Lewis told journalists that he felt “a lot of people have been persuaded to turn up to Little Bighorn”—a reference to the Battle of the Greasy Grass, more commonly known as Custer’s Last Stand.
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