Labour ends power-sharing with Greens in 11 councils

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 14:29 · Archive

Labour has ended power-sharing agreements with the Green Party in 11 local councils over a policy defining Zionism as racism.

Labour's National Executive Committee has ended power-sharing arrangements with the Greens in 11 local councils following the Green Party's adoption of a motion defining Zionism as a form of racism. The councils affected include Sheffield, Warwick and Lewes. Labour had issued an ultimatum to all 18 councils with Green partnerships, demanding local Greens disown the motion passed at the Greens' national conference in October and call on their national leadership to reconsider the policy.

Of the 18 authorities with power-sharing deals, Labour said 11 had not met the criteria it demanded. Labour said its conditions had been met in Broadland, Monmouthshire, North Somerset, Rother, West Oxfordshire and West Sussex. Labour also said cooperation at Runnymede Borough Council had already ceased.

Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson said: 'Labour has been clear from the start that the "Zionism is Racism" policy crosses a line and we cannot work with any party that supports it – at any level of government.' Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs in October that Labour would not partner with the Greens over what he called the 'antisemitic' policy. Jewish groups and opposition political parties have condemned the motion, which stated Zionism supported an 'ethnonationalist Jewish State in historic Palestine'.

How it is being reported

• Labour to end cooperation with Greens in 11 councils over ‘Zionism is racism’ policyDeals with six Green council groups that have condemned the motion are to remain in place, says Labour UK politics live – latest updates Labour is to stop cooperating with the Green party in 11 councils across England following an ultimatum for Greens in local government to disown a new policy stating that “Zionism is racism”. A statement from Labour said coalitions or other deals with Greens would stop in all local authorities where they had refused to condemn the policy motion passed at their party conference last month, which also called for a single Palestinian state in place of Israel.…The Guardian · 2 Nov, 15:31
• Labour pulls out of council power-sharing deals with Green Party over Zionism rowLabour chair Bridget Phillipson said the motion adopted at Green conference last month 'crosses a line' as she confirmed an end to cooperation in 11 local authoritiesThe Mirror · 2 Nov, 14:59
• Labour ends power-sharing with Greens in 11 councils over Zionism rowLabour's ruling National Executive Committee sets out where it is cutting ties with the Greens.BBC News · 2 Nov, 14:17
• Labour 'to ditch half of local coalitions with Greens' amid fury at 'Zionism is Racism' policyFollowing the passing of a 'Zionism is racism' motion at the Greens' conference last month, Labour reviewed its ongoing cooperation with the party across local councils.Daily Mail · 2 Nov, 10:26

In this story: Labour Party · Green Party · Andy Burnham · Bridget Phillipson · Sheffield · Warwick · Lewes

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