Jamie Driscoll: Labour mayor blocked from standing after Ken Loach look says course of ‘anti-democratic’

A Labour mayor has accused his celebration of being “anti-democratic” after he was blocked from operating in an election for a brand new place.

Jamie Driscoll, mayor of the North of Tyne, refused to sentence controversial remarks from director Ken Loach about Jews, Israel and the Holocaust.

He has been prevented by Labour HQ from standing as candidate for the newly created function of chief of the North East Mayoral Combined Authority after showing on stage with Mr Loach.

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Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge, Mr Driscoll was requested about Mr Loach’s feedback.

They embody saying that Israel’s actions made an increase in antisemitism comprehensible; and replying that “all history” was up for dialogue when requested if the Holocaust was unacceptable or if Israel’s founding was based mostly on ethnic cleaning.

Mr Driscoll mentioned this was a query for Mr Loach, and that he was “not a spokesman for Ken Loach”.

“My combined authority has adopted the… IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] definition of antisemitism,” he added.

“I’ve been on Jewish Labour Movement training, I work very closely with the Jewish Leadership Council, visit the synagogues in my region.”

He mentioned he came upon he wouldn’t be a possible candidate for the brand new function by way of electronic mail.

The mayor mentioned banning individuals “who are promoting socialist views from participating is really quite anti-democratic”.

Mr Driscoll and Mr Loach appeared at Newcastle’s Live Theatre in March to talk about the director’s filmmaking.

The mayor advised Sky News that Mr Loach’s movies had been of “big cultural significance” to the North East.

He mentioned he regretted “this entire episode” however believed the “whole thing’s blown up and now Labour members are not getting the opportunity to choose”.

Mr Driscoll mentioned native Labour members ought to determine who ought to run.

Mr Loach was kicked out of Labour in 2021, and whereas it’s unclear exactly what for, he mentioned in a tweet it was as a result of he would “not disown those already expelled”.

It got here shortly after the celebration expelled a variety of teams, together with Resist, Socialist Appeal, Labour in Exile Network and Labour Against the Witch-hunt.

Mr Loach was a vocal supporter of former Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn, and Mr Driscoll has been described because the “last Corbynista in power”.

Mr Corbyn has been blocked from standing for Labour within the subsequent common election attributable to his response to antisemitism investigations throughout his tenure as chief.

Mr Loach has additionally been supportive of Chris Williamson, a former Labour MP removed from the party who claimed Labour was “too apologetic” over the problem.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer gears up for an expected general election next year, with lists of potential candidates being tightly managed.

Shadow enterprise secretary Jonathan Reynolds advised Sky News he strongly disagreed with recommendations the Labour chief is attempting to purge the celebration’s left.

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He mentioned Sir Keir had “changed the party” and that it was essential to have “due diligence” for choosing candidates.

Mr Reynolds mentioned an individual who “shares a platform with someone who has been expelled from the Labour Party for their views on antisemitism” couldn’t be chosen.