After 839 days, the Labour party has today been let out of special measures by the equalities watchdog over its handling of antisemitism complaints. Back in 2020, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) produced a highly critical report of the way Labour was handling these cases. It found that the party had been responsible for unlawful discrimination during Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, forcing the party to reform its policies.
The EHRC has now said it is ‘content with the actions taken’ by the party and will be winding up a two-year monitoring period. Sir Keir Starmer has hailed it as ‘an important moment in the history of the Labour Party’ and is keen to make the most of this milestone. His team have known for a month or so that this moment is coming, with Starmer making a statement on the findings later today. Margaret Hodge, the Jewish backbencher who featured prominently in the party’s antisemitism struggles, is featuring on the morning media rounds.
Sir Keir has also written a strongly-worded opinion article for the Times today, in which he says that his party was an ‘incubator for this poison.’ His piece is not merely confined to antisemitism, but rather seeks to make a wider case for Labour as a ‘patriotic party of government.’ He writes that ‘the changes we have made aren’t just fiddling around the edges around the edges or temporary fixes. They are permanent, fundamental, irrevocable.’ Starmer also lays down the gauntlet in a challenge to the left: ‘if you don’t like it, nobody is forcing you to stay.’
The message to voters is clear: Labour has changed. Not being in special measures might seem a bit of a low bar for an aspirant government but it’s a reminder of just how low things sunk during the Corbyn years. Sir Keir’s messaging around the EHRC’s decision is that he is not just talking to his party anymore but rather using it as a chance to talk to the country too. Such pragmatism is the hallmark of successful opposition leaders. Starmer can go into the next election rid of the albatross of antisemitism, citing his record as proof of the positive change he can bring to the country. That will be for voters to decide though, with Rishi Sunak’s Tories keen to point out at any opportunity just how happily Starmer served under Corbyn for much of his time in charge.
It also nicely sets up a clash with his predecessor too. Jeremy Corbyn has been an independent MP since October 2020, having lost the Labour whip for his response to the EHRC’s report on antisemitism. Today’s findings highlight the stark contrast in how such cases have been handled under two different leaders. It will revive questions as to Corbyn’s own future at the next election, with Labour considering whether to stand a rival candidate in his Islington North seat. That, as much as anything, would show just how much Labour has really changed since his leadership.
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