Labour figures rule out working with Greens after ‘Zionism is racism’ vote

Minister says they could not see parties cooperating, while official says coalition should be formally ruled out

Senior Labour party figures said it was very unlikely their party would cooperate with the Greens in the future after they adopted a policy treating Zionism as a form of racism.

There is also pressure within the Liberal Democrats for them to end existing arrangements with Zack Polanski’s party, with some senior Lib Dems calling on the party to end its coalition with the Greens in Southwark, south London.

After the vote, Bridget Phillipson, the Labour chair, called the move “shameful”, saying it highlighted how vital it had been for her party to tackle antisemitism under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

A source linked to the Jewish labour movement said Labour should “absolutely” rule out governing with the Greens, arguing the policy raised serious questions about whether its treatment of Jewish members could breach equality law.

Labour views the Zionism motion, and the criticism that has followed, as a means to simplify its political argument against the Greens at a time when Polanski’s party has increasingly sought to attract disillusioned Labour voters on the party’s left.

The Greens have poured huge resources into the contest, with Polanski telling the Guardian that it is “really on a knife-edge”. Despite the Greens’ campaigning efforts, helped by their massively increased membership, Labour is considered the favourite to win.

Following the Zionism motion, both Southwark parties released a “joint administration statement against antisemitism”. Without mentioning the new Green policy, it said they would “continue to work with Jewish community organisations to make sure they know they have a place in Southwark”.

Another Lib Dem peer, Lynne Featherstone, who was formerly an MP, replied to a post by Chamberlain to say: “I would ditch them. Grow a pair!”

Polanski, who left the Green conference early on Friday to campaign, stopped short of endorsing or criticising the motion. In a statement on Monday night after the European Greens and German Greens distanced themselves from the policy, Polanski said antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state “are and must always be completely distinct”. Polanski said he remained proud of the party’s stance on Palestinian rights.

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