Thread by @_petermason

THREAD... I’m so disappointed by this preemptive response to this evening’s PLP motion on antisemitism. The motion asks the same questions @JewishLabour have been asking for far too long... labourlist.org/2019/02/elimin…

...I know this because after a JLM delegation met for three hours with the new Gen Sec after her appointment, I wrote a letter on behalf of our members to set out 19 suggestions that we felt might make an impact. Here is where we are at almost a year later:

1. A clear commitment with a specified timeframe to conclude all outstanding high-profile cases 👎

2. Regular publication of statistics concerning complaints regarding antisemitism at all stages of
the disciplinary process 👎

3. Implementation of new charges for prejudicing the disciplinary process, such as divulging the details of cases to the media and giving interviews, lobbying of NEC or NCC members 👎

4. An instruction to members of the PLP from the Chief Whip that no MP should engage in any event or share a platform with a suspended/expelled Labour Party member, or those subject to charges brought against them by the NCC.👎

5. A scheme of clear tariffs to be applied by the NCC that are proportionate to the charges pursued by the NEC 👎

6. As with the Sexual Harassment disputes process, all cases involving antisemitism to be dealt with by
panels of the Disputes Panel, who have all been appropriately trained in antisemitism awareness. (Panel 👍 to mixed success, probably because: Trained 👎)

7. Regularising the NCC’s hearing procedure for antisemitism to align with the sexual harassment procedure. (SH cases at the time weren’t as they are now) 👎

8. Mandatory training for NEC members; and for NCC members in antisemitism awareness before
hearing cases involving antisemitism. 👎

9. A public guarantee of JLM’s status as Labour’s only Jewish affiliate before the conclusion of the democracy review, including a guarantee that socialist society affiliations will continue to be regulated as they are presently. 👎 (affiliations still being reviewed)

10. CLPs to only be able to affiliate to organisations approved by the NEC (reciprocal affiliations for recognised socialist societies, sister parties and trade union affiliates) 👎

11. Appropriate resourcing of JLM to be able to continue to deliver the Labour Party’s training session on antisemitism across the country on the scale envisaged in statements made by members of the NEC and senior frontbenchers 👎

12. A standing place for JLM on the NEC working group on antisemitism 👎

13. JLM antisemitism training to be made mandatory for CLPs 👎

14. Public confirmation that the NEC adopted the full IHRA definition in 2016, including all the examples that can demonstrate how antisemitism takes place in practice 👎

(OH MY didn’t we see THAT one coming)

15. Acceptance of the IHRA definition of antisemitism to be listed within the specific requirements for any Labour candidate standing for public office (at any level of government), when completing application paperwork 👎

16. The IHRA definition of antisemitism to be mandatory for all Labour groups to adopt 👎

17. Consistent advice to be given by l regional offices to give CLPs to presume against ruling in order hostile motions against JLM, to ensure consistent treatment given to JLM as would be given to any affiliate, including trade unions 👎

18. Closer monitoring of social media groups purporting to speak in Labour/Jeremy Corbyn’s name; and submitting formal requests to shut down open/closed groups that propagate antisemitism. 👎 (A letter was sent, but no further action to date has happened)

19. A clear understanding of the membership checking system as membership is a privilege not a right 👎
(Membership of the Labour Party is conditional on you not being a) an antisemite b) an apologist for antisemites)

...We still haven’t made any progress on the code of conduct consultation, “gold standard” Labour Party commissioned antisemitism training, timetables for cases amongst many other ‘live’ issues...

...Private and confidential meetings with unnamed people and organisations won’t solve this growing culture of antisemitism, fuelled by the shock-jock fake news factory that smear and attack anyone who dare ask some pretty legitimate questions...

...Not sure progress is possible from Party with an NEC that includes such bastions of Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership as ‘Trump fanatic Rabbis’ Pete Willsman...

...Whose membership include the very same people who sit as factions, deciding slates to put forward candidates for internal elections to key governance roles with sketchy (at best) views and comments on antisemitism...

...Institutional racism is “processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people.”...

...Who and how organisations are run and governed matters.

I’ll leave it for others to decide, but after years of defending Jewish members in a fight we never asked for, I’m running out of other alternative answers. 🤷‍♂️

Back to normal #buildsocialhousing Tweets tomorrow.

ENDS