Month: March 2017

Jewish Labour Party members write to the National Constitutional Committee in support of Ken Livingstone

Over 30 leading Jewish members of the Labour Party have written to the Party’s National Constitutional Committee arguing that “we believe it would be a travesty if the Labour Party were to find Ken Livingstone guilty of conduct prejudicial or detrimental to the Party.”

They argue that “as Jews, we are appalled that such a serious issue as antisemitism is being used in this cynical and manipulative way,” adding that “It is harmful to Jewish people that false charges of antisemitism are so casually thrown around.”
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Labour members should be free to criticise Israel

KEN LIVINGSTONE explains why his Labour membership should be restored this week.

TODAY, the Labour Party is considering whether to expel me or not, having suspended my membership 11 months ago in April 2016.

I have been charged with breaking the rules of the Labour Party, because I stand up and defend supporters of Palestinian human rights when they are smeared by their opponents.

Supporters of Israel’s policies, in particular, are calling on the Labour Party to expel me.
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I have fought racism and anti-Semitism all my political life

This week the Labour Party is considering whether to expel me or not, having suspended my membership eleven months ago. I first joined Labour in March 1969 – I have served it as a member, councillor, GLC member, MP, Mayor of London and NEC member.

In that time, I have been proud of my record as an anti-racist and leading campaigner against the far-right and their hate.

Racism is a uniquely reactionary ideology, used to justify the greatest crimes in history.
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Ken Livingstone to appear before the Labour Party’s National Constitutional Committee

Press Release 28 March 2017

Ken Livingstone to appear before the Labour Party’s National Constitutional Committee

On Thursday this week (30 March) Ken Livingstone will be appearing before the Labour Party’s National Constitutional Committee (NCC) to answer the charge that he engaged in conduct ‘grossly detrimental’ to the Party when he publicly defended the Labour Party against charges of anti-Semitism in 2016.

In April 2016 Ken Livingstone conducted a series of radio and TV interviews in which he defended the Labour Party, its Leader Jeremy Corbyn and a Labour MP Naz Shah, against what he believed were false allegations regarding anti-Semitism.
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London Will Not Be Divided

I watched the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s response to this Wednesday’s horrific terrorist attack at Westminster and not only did it remind me so much of the horrific 7/7 attacks in London twelve years ago when I was Mayor, but also the amazing response of ordinary Londoners of all colours and creeds.

The spirit of unity we have seen since the attack has shown again that we are a great city and that we are not going to be divided by the terrorists.
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Ken Livingstone remarks on the death of Martin McGuinness

This is a very sad loss.

As leader of the GLC and then Mayor of London, I worked with Martin and people from all parties who wanted to bring about dialogue and a peace process in Ireland.

Martin played a key role in bringing about the Good Friday Agreement – an example of a peace process which has been learnt from throughout the world.

As Deputy First Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly he then tirelessly worked for peace and reconciliation.
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The Budget showed the Tories have no idea how to get Britain out of the hole they’ve dug

KEN LIVINGSTONE slams a government taking us off a precipice with no parachute.

“TORY Britain in 2017: NHS crisis, social care nightmare, school budgets cut for first time since ’90s, cuts to disabled and riots in our prisons.”

This was how shadow chancellor John McDonnell’s tweet summed up austerity Britain on the eve of the recent Budget.

He could have added that 3,000 people use foodbanks each day and that over 4,000 people sleep rough each night.
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This complacent Tory budget lacks a vision for a better future

Tory Britain in 2017: NHS crisis, social care nightmare, school budgets cut for 1st time since 90s, cuts to disabled and riots in our prisons.

This was how Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell’s tweet summed up austerity Britain on the eve of this week’s budget.

He could have added three thousand people use food banks each day and that over four thousand people sleep rough each night.

And this of course is just the tip of the iceberg – the majority of people are now seeing a real squeeze in living standards and wages, which is set to deepen in the years ahead.
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The Tories are failing our economy and the British people

The Tory pursuit of a ‘hard Brexit’ and bargain-basement Britain spells big dangers for the economy, writes KEN LIVINGSTONE.

TWO bits of news last week showed how, despite media spin around Theresa May and Philip Hammond “resetting” government economic policy, they remain committed to ideologically driven austerity.

The first was that the Treasury has asked government departments to prepare for cuts of 3 per cent and 6 per cent, for 2019-20.
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