For five years or more, news about anti-Jewish racism has been on the front pages. After wreaking antisemitic havoc across our community, the Labour party was found to have broken the law in relation to its Jewish members and is rightly being held to account for it.

What readers may not know is that on those benches, it was John, now Lord Mann, and is now my co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism, Catherine McKinnell MP that are holding feet to the fire.

You see, as an All-Party Group, we have taken the decision that it is for people in their own party to take on the problems that arise on their own benches. It de-politicises antisemitism, to the benefit of our community.

Therefore, it is my responsibility to take on allegations of antisemitism in the Conservative party, and those that know me will tell you that I am not shy about doing so. I made my intentions about this resolutely clear in one of my first speeches in the chamber as co-chair of the group. That said, our general approach is to take on issues directly and privately where we can, and to approach people in good faith – a rarity in so much of public life these days.

Our view is that if someone can rectify a mistake, change their behaviour or be educated, the outcome is key. This does not, by definition, always require a public pronouncement. What matters is that the engagement and the education has taken place. This is an approach we have taken successfully with MPs of various parties. Of course, this is not an approach which works for those who deliberately, knowingly or repeatedly engage with antisemitism, when a more public response is required.

Despite this discreet and outcome-driven approach, there are two matters which I feel require public address, in order that people can feel confident that we are acting. The first, relates to Cultural Marxism. This is a phrase which will likely be unfamiliar to many of the great British public. It has been used in academic circles for many years but has also been misappropriated by extremists. Several colleagues, seeking to make valid and reasonable points about the limits of freedom of expression, have used the saying and their words might have inadvertently acted as a dog-whistle for the far-right.

My colleagues may not have previously been aware what Cultural Marxism was, but now they are. I wrote to all Conservative MPs some time ago with a briefing note produced by our secretariat, the Antisemitism Policy Trust, having previously already spoken to a number of them about use of the phrase. Most expressed surprise at its alternative meaning, and several undertook not to use it again. I undertook to confront colleagues because there was a problem. I didn’t do so to divert attention from our party and onto another, I have no time for whataboutery. A problem arose. I didn’t tweet about it, I acted. I did so in good faith and will follow-up with any MP or peer that uses the phrase unwittingly, or deliberately, in the future.

The second issue relates to Conservative MPs alleged to have engaged with antisemitism during the last election. Following the review processes for these cases, the co-chairman of our party, Amanda Milling MP contacted me to make it clear that, whether found innocent or not, those involved had been eager to learn more about antisemitism, and asked that I ensure this happened. Again, working with me and the Trust on a good faith basis, we have found there is indeed an appetite to learn from those involved and that lack of judgement or knowledge, rather than antisemitism, is to blame. This should be a private matter but I am making it public today to give confidence that when cases arise, we will not simply sit by. I will continue to approach MPs and others, in good faith where merited, and seek to address any issues in our party. I won’t necessarily shout about it, neither will Catherine McKinnell, but we will speak up when required, as I am doing today. 

Public life has for too long now played host to antisemitism. When it comes to the House of Commons, and my party, it will never be welcome, and I am here to ensure that remains the case.

Andrew Percy is the Member of Parliament for Brigg and Goole is the co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism.