Rachel Reeves tells JLM Chanukah event Starmer has led Labour out of ‘dark times’
Comparing her own party's transformation in fortunes with the Chanukah story, the shadow chancellor told JLM supporters, 'That we are here today owes much to the people in this room'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Rachel Reeves has compared the “dark times” in her party under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn with the “light” offered now for a revitalised Labour under both her and Keir Starmer’s stewardship in a speech to a packed room at the Jewish Labour Movement’s Chanukah party.
Delivering the main speech at the event, which coincided with both the sixth night of Chanukah, and the fourth anniversary of Labour’s catastrophic 2019 general election defeat, the shadow chancellor also stressed her commitment to supporting the entire community in the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas terror attack on Israel.
“In a world that is very dark at the moment even the tiniest amount of light can give hope,” said Reeves, noting it remained a “very difficult time” as worries continued about the fate of the hostages taken in Israel, the lives lost and “fears for the future.”
Recalling also the dark time for many Jewish members of the Labour Party under its previous leader she told the event at Westminster Synagogue:”We meet today at a time of darkness, to remember there is always light.
“And also four years after the catastrophic defeat of Labour…… Four years ago was a dark time for our party.”
Reeves then noted Starmer’s pledge to root out antisemitism as he became leader adding he had “transformed the party.”
“That we are here today owes much to the people in this room.”
Reeves also noted the continued rise of antisemitism at home, impacting on children at school, and on the sorry spectre of Jewish libraries being vandalised and security stepped up outside synagogues.
To loud applause Reeves, a Labour Friends of Israel vice-chair, told the audience she remained with them “as a friend” in both the fight against antisemitism and in moves to push for a two-state solution to the conflict in the Middle East, and with “a future Labour government.”
Also speaking at Tuesday evening’s event were Rabbi David Mason, Baroness Anderson, JLM national chair Mike Katz, while Rabbi Charley Baginsky said prayers as the Chanukah candles were lit.
Rabbi Mason, chief executive of the Hias/JCORE organisation, drew much-needed laughter as he contrasted Rishi Sunak’s recent spat with the Greek government with the Chanukah story.
But on a more serious and thoughtful note he said the Menorah candles represent the core values of both Labour and wider UK society around “democracy, inclusion and cohesion.”
The shamash, the candle used to light the other candles, acts, he said, as the server, wishing to serve the country, and believing in public service.
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