Manchester mayor: It’s ‘inconceivable’ Labour is embroiled in antisemitism row

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has told a Jewish audience that it is “inconceivable” that the Labour Party should have problems with antisemitism and that his support for Jeremy Corbyn is “not unconditional”.

Burnham, who hails from the Party’s centre-left, was speaking at a Board of Deputies meeting at Manchester Town Hall on Sunday as the city celebrated 100 years since the founding of its Jewish Representative Council.

He said: “It is inconceivable to me that a party which has prided itself on its record on racism could have become in embroiled in an antisemitism crisis. Racism needs to be dealt with firmly, quickly and decisively. I’m afraid that this hasn’t been the response so far and I hope from this point forward this has been understood.”

Answering a question from the floor, Burnham said that Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn did still have his support “but that support is not unconditional or unchallenged”.

The Town Hall was followed by Friday night dinner at Prestwich Hebrew Congregation, with Board president Marie van der Zyl saying: “The vibrant Jewish community of Manchester is hugely respected throughout the city and the strength of its institutions is a matter of great pride.”