Labour ends Green Party coalition over Zionism policy
Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 13:04 · Archive
Labour has ended its coalition with the Green Party on Stafford Borough Council over the party's 'Zionism is racism' policy.
Labour's National Executive Committee announced on Monday that it would end its coalition agreement with the Greens on Stafford Borough Council, following the Green Party's decision to declare 'Zionism is racism' as party policy at its annual conference last month. Stafford Borough Council has been run by a Labour-Green-Stafford Borough Independents coalition since 2023, with Green councillor Tony Pearce serving on the cabinet.
The coalition collapse leaves the council as a minority administration. With the five Green councillors no longer part of the partnership, Labour and the Independents together hold only 19 of the 40 seats, just short of a majority. Labour had given the Greens an ultimatum: local councillors must reject the national party's Zionism policy or Labour would end co-operation. Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs the policy was 'antisemitic'.
Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson said: 'The Labour Party exists to deliver for communities across the country at all levels of government. Any local power sharing arrangement cannot come at the expense of upholding the moral obligation we have to stand up for everyone in our communities.' Councillor Doug Rouxel, leader of the Green group in Stafford, said they 'resolutely refused' to disown the policy. Councillor Tony Pearce called the decision 'very arrogant' and said ignoring local circumstances would cause problems for the council and residents.
How it is being reported
- Green Party councillor condemns 'arrogant' Labour for ending council coalitionThe national Labour Party has ordered the end of power sharing with the Greens at Stafford Borough Council due to the party's 'Zionism is racism' policyStokeonTrentLive · 4 Nov, 09:50
- Borough minority run after Zionism row falloutStafford Borough has become minority run after Labour's coalition with the Greens ends.BBC Stoke And Staffordshire · 4 Nov, 06:16
- Labour to ditch Green Party coalition on Staffordshire council over Zionism rowLabour had called on Green councillors in Stafford to reject their party's 'Zionism is racism' policyStokeonTrentLive · 2 Nov, 16:32
In this story: Labour Party · Green Party · Stafford Borough Council · Stafford · Bridget Phillipson · Tony Pearce · Doug Rouxel · Andy Burnham
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