Labour to End Council Power-Sharing with Greens Over 'Zionism is Racism' Stance

Labour is prepared to end power-sharing agreements with the Green Party on local councils if local Green parties do not reject the 'Zionism is racism' stance within a week. This review of arrangements across local government comes in the wake of the Greens backing the controversial motion at their recent conference.

Labour currently shares power with the Greens in coalitions on local councils in Sheffield, Lewes, and Warwick. In more than 10 other areas, Labour leads the council with the Greens as part of broader coalition agreements.

All local Labour groups involved in these power-sharing arrangements are being urged to review their partnerships and to seek assurances from their Green counterparts. These assurances must include a clear and unambiguous statement that local Green parties reject the 'Zionism is racism' position. Additionally, Labour councillors are instructed to obtain confirmation that local Green groups will call on their national leadership to reconsider the motion.

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

The decision follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham's earlier statement on Wednesday, where he ruled out a national partnership with the Greens due to their adoption of the 'anti-Semitic' motion.

Labour chair Bridget Phillipson stated that the Prime Minister has been unequivocal: "This 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 continued, "We have asked local Green groups to respond as a matter of urgency. Where they are unable to provide that assurance, Labour will bring any such local arrangement to an end. This isn't an issue of party politics; it's about doing what is right and upholding the values anyone holding public office should share."

She emphasized Labour's commitment to addressing anti-Semitism, noting, "The Labour Party fought hard to address anti-Semitism within our own party and ensure it had no place in our politics. We have a responsibility to uphold those same standards in our relationships with other parties."