Anger over ‘antisemitism tactics’ in Shropshire Council clash

Shropshire Council voted in favour of a motion to join with the Government in signing up to the internationally-recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) guidelines on antisemitism, at its full council meeting yesterday.

Earlier this month Labour’s governing body decided to adopt the antisemitism guidelines in full, following weeks of heated debate over the issue.

But when proposing the motion, Conservative councillor Alex Phillips focused on the Labour Party when discussing seeing a rise in antisemitism.

Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of the Labour group on Shropshire Council, said “things will not be the same” after this motion was brought forward in this manner.

He said: “It’s underhand, it is despicable tactics. We support all aspects in the motion, it goes without saying that is the case, so why on earth has this been brought forward?

'Disgrace'

“Things won’t be the same because of this despicable, underhand, childish use of political will.”

Independent councillor Pauline Dee added: “I didn’t realise we were making an attack on the Labour Party.

“I personally have heard no talk of discrimination against Jewish people. I have had discrimination myself as an Irish Catholic. I’m shaking.”

Labour councillor Kevin Pardy said: “It’s a disgrace and a disservice to the Jewish community you’re using this to bash the Labour party.

“There’s nobody in this room I’ve met that are antisemites.”

Councillor Phillips responded saying he had seen a rise in antisemitic comments online.

He said: “The reason for singling out the Labour Party is I have friends on the left who have noticed antisemitic comments online.

“I have seen the rise in antisemitism, I have Jewish heritage myself.”

Councillor Phillips was interrupted by calls for him to ‘sit down and shut up’.

The council unanimously agreed in support of adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism.