Wes Streeting: Jewish Labour voters have ‘got their party back’
The shadow health secretary tells Jewish News the standing ovation for Keir Starmer after conference speech in which he spoke of need to fight antisemitism 'epitomises the transformation we've seen in Labour'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Labour’s Wes Streeting has told of his hope the Jewish community now has the “confidence to come back to their party” suggesting Keir Starmer’s conference speech “vindicates the hard graft” of all those who fought against antisemitism.
Speaking to Jewish News moments after Starmer delivered his keynote speech, the shadow health secretary said he had been left “emotional” after witnessing the entire hall rise to their feet and applaud the leader’s reference to the need to fight anti-Jewish racism to make Labour “fit to serve our country.”
“I think that epitomises the transformation we’ve seen in the Labour Party,” said Streeting, of the overwhelmingly positive response from those inside the packed hall to Starmer’s words.
“And it vindicates the hard graft of all of those campaigners that spoke out inside the Labour Party and outside in the community.”
Asked what his message would be to Jewish voters, Streeting, who looked visibly emotional as he spoke, said:”My message to all of those Jewish Labour voters whose doors I knocked and who felt heartbroken by what happened to the party would now be, ‘You’ve got your party back.'”
The Ilford North MP added:”Look at the response that we’ve seen, it’s not about leadership from Keir, it’s about leadership from the entire party.
“And I so hope that gives people the confidence to return to the Labour Party. ”
Pressed on how it was noticeable how Labour members from all ethnic minorities rose to their feet to hail the fight against antisemitism in the party, Streeting added:”The Labour Party has always been a proud party of equality, but we failed people for those past five years before Keir became leader.
“I think people have seen how he has gripped the party and has changed the rules.
“He’s kicked racists out, he’s not just won the battle of the disciplinary process, he’s won the battle of hearts and minds. ”
Streeting, who earlier told journalists how he did not want the whip restored to Jeremy Corbyn, was asked if he was surprised by the positive response to Starmer’s words.
“I wouldn’t say I was surprised,” he said. ” I’ve been at the centre of campaigning against antisemitism in the Labour Party.
” I know how committed Keir was.
“I was emotional in response to it, because I think it’s a vindication to everyone who stayed and fought, and to all of those people in the Jewish community who spoke out despite the abuse they received.
“But they’ve got their party back. And I could not be prouder to serve Keir Starmer.”
Asked about restoring the whip to Corbyn , Streeting earlier told Sky News: “No, I don’t think he should.”
An attempt to pave the way for Corbyn to stand as a Labour candidate at the next general election was soundly defeated at the party’s conference.
Streeting said the Labour Party now has “serious people with a serious plan” that will make an “enormous difference” to families and businesses across the country.
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