This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50077384
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Louise Ellman: MP quits Labour over anti-Semitism concerns | Louise Ellman: MP quits Labour over anti-Semitism concerns |
(32 minutes later) | |
MP Louise Ellman has quit the Labour Party - saying Jeremy Corbyn is "not fit" to become prime minister. | MP Louise Ellman has quit the Labour Party - saying Jeremy Corbyn is "not fit" to become prime minister. |
In a tweet, the Liverpool Riverside MP cites the allegations of anti-Semitism in the party that have surfaced under the Labour leader's tenure. | In a tweet, the Liverpool Riverside MP cites the allegations of anti-Semitism in the party that have surfaced under the Labour leader's tenure. |
Mrs Ellman, who is Jewish, has been a party member for 55 years but says she "can no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM". | |
She said "anti-Semitism has become mainstream in the Labour Party". | She said "anti-Semitism has become mainstream in the Labour Party". |
Mrs Ellman, who has been an MP since 1997, added: "I will not join any other party. I hope that under different leadership I will be able to return to my political home." | |
In a letter, she said: "I believe that Jeremy Corbyn is not fit to serve as our prime minister. With a looming general election and the possibility of him becoming prime minister, I feel I have to take a stand." | |
In a tweet, BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said it was "extraordinary" to read Ms Ellman's letter as she was very long serving Labour MP. | |
Earlier this year, MP Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2010, left Labour in protest at the handling of anti-Semitism allegations. | |
Ms Ellman described her decision as "truly agonising, as it has been for the thousands of other party members who have already left". | |
She continued: "Jewish members have been bullied, abused and driven out... A party that permits anti-Jewish racism to flourish cannot be called anti-racist. | |
"This is not compatible with the Labour Party's values of equality, tolerance and respect for minorities." | |
"My values - traditional Labour values - have remained the same. It is Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, that has changed," Ms Ellman added. | |
Mr Corbyn has insisted the party is addressing concerns and in July proposed changes to Labour's complaints system to speed up the expulsion of members over anti-Semitism. |