Got rid of the Corbynites from the front bench. Few cheers there from the Parliamentary Labour Party ( right wing dominated helps ). Few cheers for his performance at PMQs. In his element there. Busy erasing Corbyn from the history of the Labour Party.
And then came the first test of his leadership. Oh dear. Labour and antisemitism. Why does it cause them such a problem.
It is because there is this belief at the top of Labour, that if you clamp down hard enough you will get on top of it. If you make it a taboo subject it will whither away. Not strong leadership as many of his supporters have been parroting, but rather pressured into macho politics. This rarely has a happy ending.
Cheers for his ruthlessness from his followers. Just what the world needs now, another ruthless leader.
Beware the cheerleaders, they are notoriously fickle.
Most worrying however is that his actions have won plaudits from the Daily Mail.Already his supporters have their identity. Starmertroopers they are labeled. That's really going going to take the Labour Party in the right direction.
He has sacked RLB for the reason of contributing to an antisemitic conspiracy theory. Now where did he got that one from.
RLB was wrong in the attribution of an activity to the Israeli secret service.
It was a mistake.
Antisemitic. Are we to believe that the Israeli secret service doesn't get up to dodgy actions around the globe. As do the secret services of numerous other countries. They could all teach RLB a thing or two about conspiracy theories. And are we supposed to believe that if she had made such an error involving, say, the Russian secret service, or South African secret service, she would have been sacked.
No it's the fact that in the Labour Party, Israel is off limits.
Sir Kier, he of supposed forensic and considered approach, is guilty of playing to the chosen audience. He can't resist it, he's a lawyer
It is right that we should condemn abusive and threatening behavior and language, whoever it is directed against, but without favour.
Sir Kier Starmer has made promises, in this regard, that he should not have made and cannot deliver.
He should not have placed the issue of antisemitism as a priority of intolerance over and above BAME people, or disability discrimination or many of the other intolerances that pervade the Labour party. He is giving assurances to Jewish groups as if they have a superior status. That, in itself causing disquiet.
Before making these utterances he should follow the evidence.
The recent Labour Party's ( leaked ) Report. Shows that antisemitism is not widespread in the Labour Party. Although these findings are unpalatable to sections of the Party, the fact is, it shouldn't have higher priority than issues of intolerance against many other groups, given the facts. That it is given such prominence, perhaps shows the strength of it's lobbying.
The language that is used by Starmer , such as " zero tolerance " and " tear antisemitism out by the roots ", is unhelpful and condemns his efforts to failure.
First. It is not clear, what to many, constitutes antisemitism.
A survey by the Jewish Policy Research found that about 5% of the UK public were antisemitic. But this figure increased to about 15% if certain questions were added. Questions such as " do you think that Jews have too much power, proportional to their numbers ". If the answer was affirmative, it was regarded that the respondent had antisemitic views.
No. The respondent has observed that a large number of large financial, industrial and commercial enterprises, are headed or owned by prominent Jewish people. In the public mind this equates to influence and power and yes, disproportionate to Jewish numbers.
Not antisemitism, but observation.
Similarly if it was observed that such organisations and enterprise was headed or owned by Black people, there would probably be a similar conclusion.
Antisemitism is a complex issue Sir Kier. Not to he treated as some infection to be squeezed out.
Why is antisemitism associated so strongly with the left.
Socialists speak out and criticise right wing regimes and right wing policies. Activists go further and sometimes demonstrate against them.
Whether it is against corruption in South Africa, right wing policies in South America or Eastern Europe.
Such criticism is regarded as legitimate in the Labour Party, indeed often applauded. It is not racist or discriminatory.
The Israeli government is right wing and enact right wing policies. This is fact not prejudice. The left speak out and criticise. This is not regarded as legitimate, but antisemitic. Therefore the left are antisemitic.
I know. It doesn't make sense. But that's politics.
It is also the case that many on the left, in particular, are sympathetic annd supportive of the Palestinians. This has put them on a clear collision course with Jewish politicians and Jewish pressure groups.
And not least this perception is a weapon for the right of the party ( we are expected to call them moderates ) to beat the left.
So antisemitism is a problem of the left. Wrong.
Of course some on the left hold antisemitic views. But it would be Sir Kier's next big mistake to believe that it is unique to that wing.
The survey by the Jewish Policy Research found that antisemitic views were held by about 15% of the public. The same percentage as was found among Labour Party supporters.
However, the survey found that a higher percentage, about 18% of Conservative supporters, hold antisemitic views.
The facts therefore tell you that the Left are no more antisemitic than the general population. But also that the Right are more antisemitic than the Left.
Sorry to burst the bubble.
However, what this survey also shows, is the folly of the Labour leaders " zero tolerance " promise.
It shows that approximately 8 million of the UK population hold antisemitic views.
Importantly for the Leader the survey contradict the Labour Party report, with findings equates to 75000 Labour Party members hold antisemitic views.
If you add to that the discriminatory views against BAME , the disabled, people on benefit, rough sleepers and so on. Kier Starmer's scourge approach and zero tolerance, is going to leave him a very lonely man in the Labour party.
However detailed research by Jewish Voice for Labour found the opposite. That there was little evidence of significant antisemitism in the Labour party. A lower percentage than the public at large and significantly lower than that of the Right.
Confused. So, either Starmer is using a very big sledgehammer to crack a very small nut, or the size of the problem is beyond him.
Either way from Crown Prosecution Service to Witchfinder General style leadership is not the answer to Labours problems here.
Education, understanding and tolerance is a much better way. This, together with an acceptance that intolerance is not exclusive to the left.
Why do I care. I am not usually that concerned in the shenanigans of English dominated affairs across the bridge, unless it affects us in Wales. ( that not English in a racial sense, but English in a factual sense. ).
However it is worrying that some Welsh politicians have subscribed to the hang them and flog them approach. Deluding themselves that it is " strong leadership ".
Rather than a tolerant, equitable and considered approach in Wales. An approach that has a far better chance of addressing a very real problem.
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