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LP anitsemitism / CP islamophobia

(104 Posts)
humptydumpty Tue 05-Mar-19 16:54:39

There's been much discussion on GN about allegations of LP anti-semitism; I would be interested to hear what people think of islamophobia in CP:

"But Baroness Warsi, who was the UK's first female Muslim cabinet minister, has said her party had "turned a blind eye" to prejudice and become "institutionally Islamophobic".

She suggested the "rot had set in" several years ago and accused senior party officials of being "in denial" and presiding over an "opaque" complaints process." (BBC)

Anniebach Tue 05-Mar-19 17:04:27

Has she left the party ?

jura2 Tue 05-Mar-19 17:30:44

No, she explains very clearly in her interview that she intends to fight from within - good for her.

MawBroon Tue 05-Mar-19 17:48:35

We do need to see a truly representative cross- section of our society in our political parties.
Posh boys vs flat capped “horny handed sons of toil” is a cliche which still resonates for some.
So I am glad to see those who choose to fight from within, although I have every sympathy also for those who can simply take no more and walk away.

Fennel Tue 05-Mar-19 18:18:40

Labour one target
Tories another target?
It's not so simple.

POGS Tue 05-Mar-19 18:19:49

If antisemitism or islamophobia is found in ANY political party it should be dealt with.

End of.

I am not saying islamophobia is not in the Conservative Party nor would I say there maybe some with antisemitic views/opinions. Only an idiot would say it was not possible.

I am not saying islamophobia is not in the Labour Party nor would I say there maybe some with antisemitic views/opinions. Only an idiot would say it was not possible.

The way it is handled within a party is an issue.

Sayeeda Warsi was the first Muslim woman to become a UK government Minister and she resigned from the Cabinet in 2014 over Gaza. Her prerogative to do so .Within months of resigning Warsi was saying there was a problem in the Consertvative party and Muslims.

Given 5 years have passed I think if it was an issue on the scale of the current antisemitism issues within the Labour Party more evidence would have come forward by now, I am sure the media has been searching for a while.

I don't see the Muslim Conservative MP's in Parliament saying they are suffering from islamophobia, bullying, intimidation and harassment unlike the Labour MP's of Jewish and none Jewish faith are in the Labour Party.

Anniebach Tue 05-Mar-19 18:20:38

There are only two Muslim MP’s in the Tory party , they should speak out if they are receiving just a fraction of what Labour Jew MP’s are suffering.

M0nica Tue 05-Mar-19 19:09:25

I am sure if Islamophobia was as bad in the Conservative Party as anti-semitism is in the Labour party, Labour party activists would have squirrelled it out and shouted about it very loudly by now.

humptydumpty Wed 06-Mar-19 11:47:10

From the Guardian:

"Tories suspend 14 members over alleged Islamophobia"

Anniebach Wed 06-Mar-19 11:54:17

The suspension has been for things posted on Facebook,

if Labour did the same about anti semetic posts on Facebook the numbers would be in the hundreds .

Anniebach Wed 06-Mar-19 12:09:33

labourlist.org/2019/03/labour-urges-jewish-labour-movement-to-stay-but-tensions-continue-unabated/

RosieLeah Wed 06-Mar-19 12:21:00

Why has this suddenly become a problem? We have had senior politicians and even Prime Ministers who were Jewish, even though racial and class prejudice has always been there. Perhaps in the past, it was simply accepted, now it isn't, but it hasn't stopped Jews from realising their personal ambitions. Hopefully, MPs will continue to be judged on their merits rather than their race.

Fennel Wed 06-Mar-19 12:34:29

Good post RosieLeah. I've been puzzling about that too.
Maybe part of the answer is that the media reach a much bigger audience now than in the past.

Jalima1108 Wed 06-Mar-19 12:54:35

There are only two Muslim MP’s in the Tory party
Surely there are more than two in the whole party? There must be hundreds.
There is a Conservative Muslim Forum and they are aware of the problems within the party

Jalima1108 Wed 06-Mar-19 12:55:18

sorry, MPs - but there are many members

Anniebach Wed 06-Mar-19 13:20:40

The anti semetism rose its head when Corbyn became leader. Not a conspiracy theory , a fact.

yggdrasil Wed 06-Mar-19 13:24:12

Pogs: Given 5 years have passed I think if it was an issue on the scale of the current antisemitism issues within the Labour Party more evidence would have come forward by now, I am sure the media has been searching for a while.

The MSM have exaggerated the amount of anti-semitism in Labour, and have deliberately told lies about Corbyn in particular. They haven't searched for Islamophobia in the Tory party because it doesn't fit their agenda.

By the way, have you seen OfCom is now (finally) examining the BBC for bias?

maryeliza54 Wed 06-Mar-19 13:34:27

I tried to find out about all parties membership along religious / ethnic lines and couldn’t find this information. The H of C library produced an interesting report showing breakdown of membership according to sex, age, region, socioeconomic status but completely silent on ethnicity/ religion. If anyone is interested in the range of Islamaphobic comments coming from Tory members/ supporters look at Racists4Rees-Mogg on Twitter

maryeliza54 Wed 06-Mar-19 13:38:18

Jal the CMF raised the issue last June and we’re basically ignored

Anniebach Wed 06-Mar-19 13:53:03

The MP’s who are Jews have spoken out so how can MSM exaggerate ?

No Tory Jew MP has spoken of verbal abuse and death threats . No Tory Jew MP has needed police protection when attending the Tory party conference.

maryeliza54 Wed 06-Mar-19 13:59:37

Of course MSM can and does exaggerate especially as most of it is anti-Labour and to varying degrees right of centre.

Anniebach Wed 06-Mar-19 15:00:45

So the MP’s who are Jews are lying ?

Why is Jewish Voice for Labour holding meetings tonight to discuss staying/leaving the Party?

Why has Margaret Hodge, Ruth Smeeth and others asked
Jewish Voice for Labour not to leave but stay in the party and fight the anti semitism ?

MSM? No

maryeliza54 Wed 06-Mar-19 15:30:05

Who said the Jewish MPs are lying? But nicely distracted ab. We know the party ( the Tories) you admire so much and never criticise could never be Islamaphobic Are you saying BW is lying? Or CMF? There’s anti- semitism in the LO and islamaphobia in the CP - the former gets exaggerated and the latter under played and the reason is obvious.

Anniebach Wed 06-Mar-19 15:56:28

Anti semetism in the Labour Party is not exaggerated,

You are trying to draw away from the truth ‘maryeliza* even posting untruths, I have never said I admire the Tory party, how childish, would I have been a loyal member of the Labour Party for over fifty years whilst admiring the Tory party.

I left the Labour .party because it is now anti semetic, i would have left if it had become Islamaphobic .

Constantly crying there is Islamaphobia in the Tory party does not reduce or excuse anti semetism in the Labour Party.

maryeliza54 Wed 06-Mar-19 15:59:28

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/06/tories-tough-islamophobia-anti-muslim-conservative-party

This author of this article is Jewish and very JC critical. I remember very well ZG filthy racist campaign to be London Mayor - now what party does he belong to? Hummmmm