Jewish Labor MP Luciana Berger Faces No-Confidence Motion Over Stance Against Antisemitism, Corbyn
by Benjamin Kerstein
UK Labour MP Luciana Berger, who has been outspoken on the issue of antisemitism within her own party under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, is facing a no-confidence motion in her constituency.
Berger, who is Jewish, has been the target of extensive criticism and abuse due to her stance against antisemitism and what she believes is Corbyn’s failure to adequately address the issue.
The no-confidence motion, which will be voted on Feb. 17, states, “Wavertree CLP has no confidence in Luciana Berger as our representative in parliament.”
“The UK is in crisis because of the appalling austerity policies of a government that serves the interests of the rich,” it continued. “We need a Labour government under the socialist leadership of our twice-elected leader Jeremy Corbyn. Instead of fighting for a Labour government our MP is continually using the media to criticize the man we all want to be prime minister.”
Wes Streeting, a Labour MP from Ilford North, tweeted in response, “Disgraceful. Motions of solidarity should be brought, not motions of no confidence.”
Disgraceful. Motions of solidarity should be brought, not motions of no confidence. https://t.co/OybIHIilqO
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) February 7, 2019
Journalist Oliver Kamm also weighed in, saying, “Almost all British Jews believe Labour is now led by an antisemite. Evidently Momentum activists in Liverpool Wavertree are intent on entrenching this belief. It won’t help her but I’m a longstanding Labour voter & @lucianaberger has my strong support.”
Almost all British Jews believe Labour is now led by an antisemite. Evidently Momentum activists in Liverpool Wavertree are intent on entrenching this belief. It won't help her but I'm a longstanding Labour voter & @lucianaberger has my strong support. https://t.co/QFXXNNgC4O
— Oliver Kamm (@OliverKamm) February 7, 2019
Former Labour official Adam Langleben reacted in a similar manner, saying, “An attack on @lucianaberger is an attack on all Labour Jews. I and others will be standing with Luciana all the way. I hope that all Labour members will join us in that solidarity.”
“If members deselect any MP due to their opposition to anti-Jewish racism in our party then its over,” he added.
An attack on @lucianaberger is an attack on all Labour Jews. I and others will be standing with Luciana all the way. I hope that all Labour members will join us in that solidarity.
If members deselect any MP due to their opposition to anti-Jewish racism in our party then its over https://t.co/mpXkgxzUDg— Adam Langleben (@adamlangleben) February 7, 2019
Alum Davies, a Labour member of the National Assembly for Wales, echoed these sentiments, saying, “This is appalling. @lucianaberger has been deliberately targeted for abuse because she is Jewish. We should all stand with her.”
I agree with @wesstreeting This is appalling. @lucianaberger has been deliberately targeted for abuse because she is Jewish. We should all stand with her. https://t.co/cP72tI4kN0
— Alun Davies 🏴 (@AlunDaviesAM) February 7, 2019
Since Corbyn became Labour leader in 2015, it has been wracked by antisemitism scandals, many of them involving Corbyn himself.
Last September, Berger and other Jewish MPs and officials were provided with bodyguards when they attended a Labour conference in Liverpool.