Politics
Labour mayor faces questions over event with Ken Loach
Jamie Driscoll shared a platform with the expelled Labour member at an event in Newcastle
March 22, 2023 17:32
Jamie Driscoll shared a platform with the expelled Labour member at an event in Newcastle
March 22, 2023 17:32A Labour mayor is facing criticism after he shared a platform with veteran film director Ken Loach who was expelled from the Party during its antisemitism inquiry.
Jamie Driscoll, the directly-elected major of North of Tyne, which covers the Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland local authorities areas, joined Loach, 87, the director of Cathy Come Home and Kes, on stage at an event in Newcastle.
Loach was expelled from Labour in August 2021 as Party leader Keir Starmer moved to deal with the antisemitism issues that surround his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. Corbyn himself was later stripped of the Party whip after saying the problem of antisemitism within Labour was “dramatically overstated for political reasons”.
Labour did not explain why Loach was kicked out of the Party, but at the time, the film maker said: “Labour HQ finally decided I’m not fit to be a member of their party, as I will not disown those already expelled.”
He added: “I am proud to stand with the good friends and comrades victimised by the purge. There is indeed a witch-hunt … Starmer and his clique will never lead a party of the people. We are many, they are few. Solidarity.”
Loach has faced accusations of antisemitism, which he denies. In 1987, London’s Royal Court Theatre dropped his production of Jim Allen’s play Perdition, which accused some Zionists of collaborating with the Nazis.
He also courted controversy for saying in response to questions about Holocaust denial that “history is for us all to discuss”.
He has said there was “no validity” to accusations of antisemitism within Labour and insisted they were designed to undermine Corbyn’s leadership.
Driscoll, who has been called the “most powerful Corbynista” in the country, secured the mayoral nomination in 2019 with the help of Momentum. He is now one of the very few avowedly Corbyn-supporting politicians left holding a senior post.
However, he has said the “Corbynista tag” is an attempt to “define us by London Westminster politics”.
Explaining his decision to appear alongside Loach at the Live Theatre in Newcastle, Driscoll said: “I spoke with Ken Loach as part of the Live Theatre’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
“Mr Loach has chosen the North East as a location for his most recent film The Old Oak as well as his previous films... During the event, we participated in a lively and engaging discussion about his critically acclaimed films, work and illustrious career.”
However, a Jewish Labour Movement spokesperson questioned the move. They said: “Quite how anyone – let alone the most senior regional leader in the North East– can think that it’s OK to organise an event with someone with these disgraceful views and track record is beyond us. There is no ignorance here, Mr Loach’s views are known and therefore it is a choice. This will be hugely upsetting for Jewish members of the Party and the community.
“Mayor Driscoll urgently needs to explain why he gave a platform to such a disgraced figure – and apologise.”
Loach reportedly called the criticism “old allegations, always rejected and re-heated from past disputes”.
The mayor did not address the criticism.