‘I will tear out this poison by its roots’: New Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says SORRY to Jews for the ‘stain’ of anti-Semitism that flourished in the party under Jeremy Corbyn
- Starmer vowed party unity but added: ‘We have to face the future with honesty’
- He used video message to say ‘Anti-Semitism has been a stain on our party’
- Labour has been dogged by the issue during Jeremy Corbyn’s five-year term
Sir Keir Starmer vowed to wipe out the ‘stain’ of anti-Semitism today as he used his leadership speech to say sorry to British Jews.
He lashed out at the anti-Jewish racism that was able to flourish under his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn and led to the departure of many members and even some Jewish MPs.
In a speech broadcast on social media he paid tribute to Mr Corbyn ‘who led our party through some really difficult times, who energised our movement and who’s a friend as well as a colleague’.
But he immediately went on to address what is perhaps the defining issue of the out-going leader’s five years in charge.
Sir Keir vowed to bring party unity but added: ‘We have to face the future with honesty.
‘Anti-Semitism has been a stain on our party. I have seen the grief that it’s brought to so many Jewish communities. On behalf of the Labour Party, I am sorry.
In a speech broadcast on social media he paid tribute to Mr Corbyn ‘who led our party through some really difficult times, who energised our movement and who’s a friend as well as a colleague’.
Mr Starmer leaving his London home today after being elected Labour Party leader in place of Jeremy Corbyn
But he immediately went on to address what is perhaps the defining issue of the out-going leader’s five years in charge.
‘I will tear out this poison by its roots and judge success by the return of Jewish members and those who felt that they could no longer support us.’
The leader of the Jewish Labour movement, whoich last year came close to dis-affiliating from Labour after almost 100 years, demanded that the change in leader ‘mark a turning point for Labour in its relationship with the Jewish community’.
JLM national chairman Mike Katz said: ‘Nobody should be under any illusion: restoring trust will take effort, time and political will.
‘We need to see strong, moral leadership on the vital task of ridding the Labour Party of anti-Semitism from the outset and changing a toxic culture that tolerates racism.
‘The past five years have without doubt been one of the darkest times for Jewish Labour members and supporters.
‘We will dare to be optimistic that the party can once again be safe place for Jews, but we are equally clear that this is just the beginning of that process.’