Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice has challenged Labour to explain why power-sharing deals with the Green Party remain in place on local councils after its own deadline, accusing the party of “prioritising power over principle”.
Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson announced earlier this month that Labour would end council power-sharing agreements with Green councillors unless they disowned their party’s policy that Zionism is a form of racism by Sunday 25 October.
But five days after that deadline, many arrangements across England remain intact, with no evidence that the Green groups concerned have repudiated the motion.
In a letter sent to Phillipson on Thursday, Tice demanded answers about Labour’s continued cooperation with the Greens.
“Has the Labour Party U-turned on its announcement and prioritised power over principle?” he asked.
“Is working with an institutionally anti-Semitic party now an acceptable price for Labour to cling on in these councils?”
Tice said he had initially welcomed Labour’s announcement, arguing that “every party has a duty to stamp out anti-Semitism wherever they find it”.
His letter cited the Board of Deputies of British Jews’ condemnation of the Greens, saying it had described the party as having adopted an “anti-Semitic platform”.
Tice challenged Phillipson to disclose exactly how many Labour council groups remained in formal coalitions or power-sharing arrangements with Green councillors, and when those deals would end.
He also asked whether Labour councillors who continued cooperating with Green colleagues who had not publicly repudiated the motion would lose the Labour whip.
“I am sure you will agree that anti-Semitism has no place in Britain”, Tice wrote.
“By dragging your heels, Labour is enabling an openly anti-Semitic party to maintain influence over dozens of councils, causing anxiety to Jewish communities living in those areas.”
Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson announced earlier this month that Labour would end council power-sharing agreements with Green councillors unless they disowned their party’s policy that Zionism is a form of racism by Sunday 25 October.
But five days after that deadline, many arrangements across England remain intact, with no evidence that the Green groups concerned have repudiated the motion.
In a letter sent to Phillipson on Thursday, Tice demanded answers about Labour’s continued cooperation with the Greens.
“Has the Labour Party U-turned on its announcement and prioritised power over principle?” he asked.
“Is working with an institutionally anti-Semitic party now an acceptable price for Labour to cling on in these councils?”
Tice said he had initially welcomed Labour’s announcement, arguing that “every party has a duty to stamp out anti-Semitism wherever they find it”.
His letter cited the Board of Deputies of British Jews’ condemnation of the Greens, saying it had described the party as having adopted an “anti-Semitic platform”.
Tice challenged Phillipson to disclose exactly how many Labour council groups remained in formal coalitions or power-sharing arrangements with Green councillors, and when those deals would end.
He also asked whether Labour councillors who continued cooperating with Green colleagues who had not publicly repudiated the motion would lose the Labour whip.
“I am sure you will agree that anti-Semitism has no place in Britain”, Tice wrote.
“By dragging your heels, Labour is enabling an openly anti-Semitic party to maintain influence over dozens of councils, causing anxiety to Jewish communities living in those areas.”
