Labour Threatens to End Council Pacts with Greens Over Anti-Semitism Row

Labour is set to end power-sharing agreements with the Green Party on local councils if Green parties do not publicly reject a recent motion labelling "Zionism is racism." The move comes amid a growing anti-Semitism crisis within the Green Party.

Across local government, Labour is reviewing its existing arrangements with the Greens. Currently, Labour shares power with the Greens in coalition governments in Sheffield, Lewes, and Warwick. In over ten other areas, Labour leads councils with the Greens as part of broader coalitions.

All local Labour groups involved in these power-sharing arrangements have been instructed to review their deals. They must obtain explicit assurances from their Green counterparts that they reject the "Zionism is racism" stance. Additionally, local Green groups are being asked to confirm they will urge their national leadership to reconsider the motion.

Local Green groups have been given a seven-day deadline to respond to these demands. Failure to meet the conditions will result in the termination of power-sharing arrangements with Labour.

The ultimatum follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham's announcement earlier this week that Labour would not pursue a national partnership with the Greens due to their conference passing the controversial motion. Burnham stated that Labour "cannot support a partnership with a party that holds the position that has recently been adopted" and unequivocally condemned the motion as "wrong" and "anti-Semitic."

Labour chair Bridget Phillipson reinforced the party's stance, emphasizing that the policy is "wrong and anti-Semitic, and has no place in British politics." She added, "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."

Phillipson further noted that if local Green groups cannot provide the required assurance, Labour will end these local arrangements. She framed the issue as a matter of upholding fundamental values rather than party politics, highlighting Labour's efforts to address anti-Semitism within its own ranks.

The motion, which passed at the Green Party's conference in Brighton, has drawn widespread criticism, with opponents calling it an "attack" on the Jewish community and labeling the Greens an "extremist party." Critics also argue the motion, by referencing only a single Palestinian state, effectively calls for the eradication of Israel.

Green leader Zack Polanski faced accusations of a "lack of leadership" after abstaining from the conference vote on October 4. He reportedly chose to focus on campaigning for the Holborn and St Pancas by-election, a contest he subsequently lost to Labour. This loss has intensified scrutiny over his leadership of the Green Party.