Why has Louise Ellman quit Labour?
Liverpool Riverside MP becomes latest to leave the party over anti-Semitism
Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman has quit the Labour Party, saying Jeremy Corbyn is “not fit” to become prime minister.
Ellman, who is Jewish, told The Times that she had been “deeply troubled” by the “growth of anti-Semitism” within the party under Corbyn’s leadership.
She later tweeted: “I have made the truly agonising decision to leave the Labour Party after 55 years. I can no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM. I will continue to serve the people of Liverpool Riverside as I have had the honour to do since 1997.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For more political analysis - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues free–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In a resignation letter posted online, Ellman accused Corbyn of allowing “anti-Jewish racism to flourish”.
“Under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, anti-Semitism has become mainstream in the Labour party,” she wrote. “Jewish members have been bullied, abused and driven out. Antisemites have felt comfortable and vile conspiracy theories have been propagated.”
The MP added: “The overwhelming majority of the Jewish community is fearful of what a Corbyn government might mean for Britain’s Jews. I share those concerns.”
Ellman said that she would not join another party, and hoped that “under different leadership I will be able to return to my political home”.
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has described Ellman’s letter as “extraordinary”.
The ongoing row over alleged anti-Semitism within Labour has seen a number of MPs resign from the party. Luciana Berger quit in February after facing anti-Semitic abuse over her criticism of the Labour leadership.
Just days later, Ian Austin announced that he was also leaving, citing a “culture of extremism, anti-Semitism and intolerance” in the party.
Responding to the latest resignation, Labour’s Harriet Harman said on Twitter that Ellman’s decision to quit was “very sad news”. In another tweet, Harman added that the news “should make every one of us in the Labour Party feel dismayed and ashamed”.
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said on Twitter: “I’ve known Louise for 30 years. She was…a skilful opponent and utterly dedicated to the Labour movement. If there’s no place for Louise Ellman in the 2019 Labour Party, they are finished as a serious force.”
And Labour MP Ruth Smeeth released a statement saying she was “disgusted” and “devastated…that another Jewish woman has been hounded out of our party”.
Meanwhile, Labour thanked Ellman for her years of service to the party and said it was taking “robust action” against anti-Semitism.
“Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party are fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and continue to take robust action to root out anti-Semitism in the party and wider society,” a spokesperson said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A history of student protest at Columbia University
The Explainer Anti-Israel demonstrations at NYC's Ivy League university echo protests against Vietnam War and South African apartheid
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Trump is ruled in contempt'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's biggest political donors
The Explainer With the 2024 general election set to be the highest-spending contest ever we look at who is giving to which party and why
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What will £28bn green investment U-turn cost Labour?
Today's Big Question Dropping flagship pledge 'will confirm workers' scepticism of the endless promises of jam tomorrow', said union leader
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How many seats do Labour and the Tories need to win?
In depth Changes to constituency boundaries mean Labour needs even bigger swing at next election to form a majority
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published