Coventry Labour once again lets down the Jewish Community
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Coventry Labour once again lets down the Jewish Community
Two Labour Councillors suspended
Antisemitism has caused much misery to the Jewish community and many Jewish people dream of a day where they can live in our communities in peace.
However, Coventry Labour refuse to take this seriously after two of their councillors have been caught being extremely antisemitic.
After Counter Cut reporting about antisemitism in Coventry’s Labour group by Labour councillors Christine Thomas and Tariq Khan (click to read more) it has now been revealed that this sad saga is far from over.
Coventry Labour councillors Thomas and Khan have both had the whip removed for antisemitism, with Thomas using the term ‘Jewess’ in a Labour Party group chat.
What is new in this sorry saga is that it has been revealed that Christine Thomas is still a card carrying member of the Labour Party. This has led to outcry and questions of why this blatant antisemite has not been kicked out of the party. This clearly shows Labour does not take antisemitism seriously.
What is worse is that both Khan and Thomas have been allowed to stay on licensing and planning committees meaning people with racist views are involved in serious local government decisions. They are occupying Labour positions as well, meaning that Labour is still happy to work with people who engage with antisemitic behaviour.
Leader of the Coventry Conservatives Cllr Gary Ridley has told Counter Cut, “Just a few weeks ago Cllr Christine Thomas was thrown out of the Labour group pending an investigation into alleged antisemitic behaviour. A few weeks later Cllr Tariq Khan had the whip removed for the same thing. So I was stunned at full council when Cllr Thomas interrupted my speech to declare she is still a card-carrying member of the Labour Party.”
“The revelations call into question how serious the Labour Party take antisemitism…”
With Cllr Thomas a close ally to Zarah Sultana, the MP for Coventry South this is a bad look for the left in the Labour Party who are often blamed for the rise in antisemitism within the party. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission laid blame at the far left leadership of Jeremy Corbyn for the systemic antisemitism found in the Labour Party so it being continued within the far left of the party is a damning look.
Keir Starmer once said he did not want antisemitism and the Labour party to be mentioned in the same sentence. It seems Coventry Labour is refusing Starmer his ambition.
By Jack Dixon