Labour to end local coalitions with Greens over Zionism policy

Labour has said it will end its power-sharing agreements with the Green Party on local councils if they do not reject the “Zionism is Racism” policy adopted earlier this month.

All Labour council groups currently in coalition, or other power-sharing arrangements, with the Greens at council level have been asked to write to the party and seek “reassurances” they condemn the motion, which was passed at Green Party conference. The local Labour politicians will also urge their Green partners to call on the party’s national leaders to condemn the motion, which has been widely condemned as antisemitic.

If the Greens do not respond in seven days, Labour has said it will end its power-sharing arrangements. The ultimatum will impact 17 councils across England and one in Wales, according to the Labour Party.

Labour’s ultimatum to the Greens

Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson said: “Where local Labour parties currently have an arrangement with the Greens in local government, we expect their Green counterparts to make clear that they reject this position and to call on their national leadership to reconsider the policy.

“We have asked local Green groups to respond as a matter of urgency.

“Where they are unable to provide that assurance, Labour will bring any such local arrangement to an end.

“This isn’t an issue of party politics; it’s about doing what is right and upholding the values anyone holding public office should share.

“The Labour Party fought hard to address antisemitism within our own party and ensure it had no place in our politics.

“We have a responsibility to uphold those same standards in our relationships with other parties.”

Prime Minister’s stance

Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Wednesday ruled out any coalition with the Green Party on a national level in future, while the policy is in place. Asked about the Zionism is racism motion at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Burnham said he condemned it “unequivocally” and would not support a “partnership” with the Greens while it remained in place.

The Labour Party leader said: “It is wrong, it is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it.

“We will always take the right response when it comes to any partnerships we have with other parties.

“We cannot support a partnership with a party that holds the position that has recently been adopted.”

Green Party response

A Green Party spokesperson said: “For the Labour Government to conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism is disappointing and wrong.

“Trying to tell local parties what to do and who they can work with is undemocratic.

“Whilst Labour continue to try to meddle in our internal democracy, arm a genocide and lock up protesting pensioners, we will not take lectures from them.”

The 18 councils where Labour will issue the challenge to the Greens are: