OPINION: Sunday’s JLM conference had many stories to tell
"It feels like the country is ready for change and we are part of it," writes Jewish Labour Movement conference chair Andrew Gilbert, reflecting on Sunday's event at JW3.
Sunday’s Jewish Labour Movement conference was a gathering of the many, that we used to enjoy before we ever heard the word Covid. But how Labour has changed since the pre-pandemic JLM conferences of 2017 and 2018. In fact numbers were a record, JLM has never had numbers like this.
Leading figures of the Labour movement nationally, regionally and locally engaging with the Jewish community in Jewish space. We were also able to set up an exhibition with 10 organisations taking stalls including leading Trade Unions. Conference is also a collaboration with partners like Labour Friends of Israel but with many others from across the community and the Labour party.
Curating a conference programme is one of those fun creative things like painting a picture, designing a product or writing a speech.
It could be random or there could be a clear message or strand of messages. It will show the emotions, take the temperature and maybe give a vision.
In each of our JLM conferences we have had the honour to tell a story. Last weekend’s conference had many stories to tell.
We are now confident to look back at the years of the Corbyn nightmare and say it is history and over. We are part of building the vision in the Labour Party, not just being listened to on Jewish issues and Israel, but on education, health, environment, refugees and so much more. We will be a stakeholder in shaping the future of Labour policy as Labour prepares to make a serious challenge at the next general election.
Of the 48 sessions nine were about Israel. Not because we are being good Zionists but because we are very concerned about the incoming government in Israel. The failure of the left in Israel and the horrific consequences for the non orthodox in Israel, for non Jewish minorities, for the LGBTQ community and the future of the Supreme Court, were a central theme in sessions with leading figures from Labour, Meretz, Reform and NGOs from Israel.
Sessions focused on a wide variety of policy areas from the environment to refugees, from health to Europe saw leading Labour figures in dialogue with community leaders and activists. The conference was a snapshot of how we can be part of the policy making for an incoming Labour government.
There were sessions on local and regional government where our links are already so strong with five London councils led by Jews and many active Jewish councillors but also we have made so many friends and allies.
Then there were the sessions focused on campaigning. To have both the Campaign Director and the Communities Director of the Labour Party showed the relevance of the event and the focus of the Brown devolution report with the Jewish mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, was part of a wider UK focus.
JW3 gave us uniquely warm Jewish space. Our activists and volunteers gave us passion. Insight came from Wes Streeting, Stella Creasy, Steve Reed, Jess Phillips and David Miliband and so many others.
It really feels like the country is ready for change and we are part of it.
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