Exclusive: Two shadow ministers to take on ‘diverse communities’ responsibilities
Kate Osamor and Sarah Champion will take on Dawn Butler's role, after her resignation from Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Shadow ministers Kate Osamor and Sarah Champion will share the responsibilities of the Labour’s minister for diverse communities, Jewish News has learnt.
It is understood no one will be formally appointed to the role for the time being following the resignation of Dawn Butler, but the shadow international development and women and equalities secretaries will continue her work at the party’s top table.
Champion has been vocal in her support of the Jewish Labour Movement during meetings of the NEC equalities committee. However both are fiercely critical of Israeli policy, with Osamor recently signing a letter attacking the Government for its crackdown on town hall boycotts and calling for a halt to the arms trade with Israel.
Butler, who left the front bench over Jeremy Corbyn’s position on Brexit, has meanwhile expressed her intention to continue working with minority groups within the party – and announced plans for a manifesto for diverse communities to be launched ahead of the next election.
She last week hosted a conference of groups affiliated to the party, at which the Jewish Labour Movement gave a presentation on tackling anti-Semitism. “I remain committed to this work,” she told the Jewish News. “I am receiving full support from the leadership and the party organisation because we all agree this is vital; work for us and the country.
“The conference was well attended with representatives from many faith and race groups within the Party. I am sure that the close collaboration between the groups will be of great benefit to the party and our communities.”
While insisting some progress had been made since diverse communities portfolio was created, Butler said some people “filled me with disappointment. These individuals were intent on fanning the flames of division”.
Butler, in an interview with this newspaper in December, acknowledged that the cases of Ken Livingstone, Jackie Walker and the Oxford University Labour Club were “unfinished business” which must be dealt with before Jewish leaders would engage in full discussions on broader issues. She said it was “evident” some allegations of anti-Semitism hadn’t been adequately dealt with and criticised the failure to update those who complained of harassment at OULC during a probe that ended last month without any actions.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
