The vice-chair of the Jewish Labour Movement has said an internal Labour election beginning this week was “vital” to the prospects of Sir Keir Starmer being able to complete his pledge to rid the party of the scourge of antisemitism.
Former MP Ruth Smeeth told the JC: “This isn’t an internal factional issue – this is about making sure we are fit for purpose and the scourge of antisemitism is removed from the party at every level.”
She added: “It’s vital for the future of the Labour Party that Keir has an NEC he can work with to deliver not only the changes to the complaints process which the EHRC is likely to require but also so he can get to grips with party culture from the ground up.”
Labour members began casting their votes for nine positions on the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Monday, with members aged under 27 and disabled members selecting a further two representatives.
The ruling NEC’s consent is needed to pass changes to the party’s rulebook – and also plays a crucial part in disciplinary issues, including those related to antisemitism cases.
Party insiders say Sir Keir will consolidate his slim majority on the NEC if more than two of the nine seats are won by candidates from Labour To Win - a group set up to offer “100 per cent” support to the new leader.
He will also be supported by candidates standing under the banner of the soft-left Open Labour team.
“It’s much easier for Keir to tackle antisemitism with people that want him to succeed in that challenge,” added Ms Smeeth, who is now chief executive of Index On Censorship organisation.
After becoming leader, Sir Keir vowed to set up an independent complaints process to tackle disciplinary issues including antisemitism.
Such a move would need to be ratified by the NEC, before being voted through by delegates at Labour’s annual conference.
Outspoken critics of Jeremy Corbyn’s failure on antisemitism – including Luke Akehurst and Gurinder Singh Josan – are standing under the Labour To Win slate.
The pro-Jeremy Corbyn wing of the party is represented by the Grassroots Voice team, which includes defeated former MP Laura Pidcock.
While Sir Keir currently has a slim majority on the NEC, many of its sub-committees, including the Equalities Committee - which can rule on antisemitism cases - are still dominated by candidates loyal to Mr Corbyn.
Voting amongst Labour’s 500,000 members closes on November 12.
