In trying to tackle antisemitism in the Labour Party- it always felt that there was a small group of us on the left trying to wade through the bullshit and make a difference. We faced opposition on the left and the right.
Trying to make the argument that people in the party had behaved atrociously and used Jews as political fodder and that there was a very serious antisemitism problem- both things are true and do not cancel out each other. And the Party couldn’t hide behind excuses.
I could also never really explain why we couldn’t break through and just fix the problem. I can explain individual issues but the #LabourReport gives me some of the bigger picture. I don’t think the report vindicates anyone- just exposes how rotten the whole thing is
I am so angry at the behaviour the #LabourReport exposes- people who got their kicks from . . . I don’t even know what? Playing a political game and ultimately ensuring that millions of people were denied a Labour Government whilst getting smug anonymous quotes in blog pieces?
Throughout the AS crisis, I never considered leaving Labour because I was involved in my CLP and other Labour groups that reminded me there were thousands of amazing people working towards a shared goal. Unbelievable how much damage a small group or rather, small groups, can do
What is upsetting me today is the lack of contrition. I look back on my time on the NEC and believe I did the best I could (although I’m certainly feeling more than a bit betrayed) but I’m full of regret that I couldn’t do more- even with all this shit going on in the background
