Darren Jones, Shadow Chief Minister of the Exchequer. Photo: Rita Franka/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
The Labor Party leader said he would make it a point not to take a stand against antisemitism following the uprising over calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Darren Jones, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury , said he would not attend any demonstrations in the coming weeks because he represents voters “who have different concerns and different opinions on this issue.”
He said all peaceful protests should be allowed to continue , but repeatedly dodged questions about whether he himself would join Sunday's march.
Asked directly whether he would attend a demonstration in London by the Campaign Against Anti-Anti-Semitism, he said: “I haven’t gone to any marches in the last few weeks and I don’t intend to go to any marches in the coming weeks because that I represent voters who have different problems and different opinions on this issue. problem.
“My job is to represent them all. That's why I don't go to any marches.”
But he said that “of course” he would stand in “solidarity” with his constituents against anti-Semitism.
Speaking to Sky's Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme, he said: “There's a difference between marching and talking to my constituents locally.”
Major rift in the shadow cabinet
This comes after a major split in shadow cabinet over the Middle East crisis, which has seen Sir Keir Starmer suffer his biggest leadership revolt to date.
Eight leading members of the Labor Party defied their leader during the vote. for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on November 15, exposing damaging divisions at the top of the party.
Sir Keir supported a humanitarian pause in the conflict but refused to demand a ceasefire, despite pressure from within Labor to change course.
Mr Jones said he did not know whether any Labor MPs would attend Sunday's march, but said shadow minister Peter Kyle would be in London.
Asked if this meant his colleagues would be allowed to attend, he said: “I haven't actually received any instructions from the Labor Party regarding today's demonstration or yesterday's demonstration, so I'm not sure what that is.” which you are talking about.”
When told that Labor frontbenchers had been ordered not to attend pro-Palestinian protests, he said: “There is no difference between the peaceful marches on either side of the debate on this issue, nor would there be on no other issue.”
Laura Trott, chief secretary to the Treasury, also declined to say whether she would take part in Sunday's march, stressing she was “focused” on her ministerial duties.
But she insists the “whole of government” is against it anti-crisis measures. – Jew-hatred
In a BBC interview with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, she said: “Of course I am against it, and the whole government is against anti-Semitism. You can see it in the way we acted.
“I think it's a hypothetical question of whether I'll go to the march or not. I'm not going to respond, but I think my direction is very clear.”
Backlash to the BBC
This comes as the BBC is faced with the situation. backlash over banning Jewish staff from Sunday's demonstration.
Current events and factual journalism staff who asked permission to march were faced with impartiality rules.
As per the rules, staff editorial staff “should not participate in public demonstrations or meetings on controversial issues.”
Jewish journalists argue that anti-racism protests should not be seen as a divisive or partisan issue and that the BBC should not stand in their way.
One MP has called for the resignation of Tim Davey, the BBC's director. — overall, saying the decision was “wrong.”
Sunday's march on the Royal Courts of Justice in London is being billed as the largest British demonstration against anti-Semitism since 1936.
That year, Jews and fascists clashed in Cable Street battle during Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists march.
On Friday, a BBC spokesman said: “The BBC is clear that anti-Semitism is abhorrent. We have developed guidance on marches which explains that different considerations apply depending on what you do for the BBC.
“As a corporate entity we have not issued any communications to staff about any particular march these days. weekend, but this does not mean that discussions did not take place among colleagues that took into account this guidance.”
Recent Comments