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Dame Louise Ellman returns to Labour
Rule changes instituted at Labour conference prompt the former Labour stalwart to rejoin the party she quit 2019 over its handling of antisemitism
September 27, 2021 15:23
Rule changes instituted at Labour conference prompt the former Labour stalwart to rejoin the party she quit 2019 over its handling of antisemitism
September 27, 2021 15:23Ex Labour stalwart Dame Louise Ellman - who quit the party in 2019 over its handling of antisemitism - has returned to her former political home.
The former Labour MP described rule changes accepted this week as “an important step to ensure the party’s disciplinary processes are fit for purpose, a vital part of tackling antisemitism in the party.”
Labour delegates voted by 73.64 per cent in favour of overhauling the disciplinary process in line with reforms called for by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission following its damning report into Labour’s antisemitism crisis.
The rule change removes any political interference in disciplinary and complaints cases and is due to be up and running by January, 2022.
Dame Louise praised Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, describing him as “a man of principle in whom the British people and Britain’s Jews can have trust.”
“Whilst there remains a great deal more to do to tackle antisemitism in the party, I am encouraged by the steps already taken and the progress made so far,” she added.
Sir Keir said Dame Louise’s return was a “poignant moment.”
“Her courage and dignity in standing up against appalling abuse is testament to her Labour values.
“I am heartened to know that her faith in our party has been restored enough for her to return to her political home,” he said.
Steve McCabe, chair of the parliamentary group Labour Friends of Israel, praised the "the Labour titan" and said her return "speaks volumes about the progress made to tackle anti-Jewish racism by Keir Starmer."
He added, "As Louise has said, there is still much more to do to tackle the far too prevalent obsession with demonising Israel and fully rebuild trust with the Jewish community, but I know having Louise back in the party to continue this fight from the inside will be pivotal in tackling this poison once and for all."