Labour factionalism row after mayor blocked ‘over Ken Loach discussion’
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abour is embroiled in a recent “factionalism” row after a left-wing regional mayor had his candidacy blocked in a call linked to an onstage look with director Ken Loach.
Jamie Driscoll was barred from standing to be the primary North East mayor as a result of he declined to apologise for talking at an occasion with the expelled Labour member, a senior social gathering supply informed the PA news company.
The serving North of Tyne mayor stated on Friday that he had been “barred” from operating for the brand new mayoral authority with out clarification.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell blamed “out of control” factionalism in Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party for the choice to exclude the supporter of former chief Jeremy Corbyn.
Mr Driscoll, described because the “last Corbynista in power”, was omitted from a longlist together with rival Northumbria police and crime commissioner Kim McGuinness.
Ex-MEP Paul Brannen and Newcastle metropolis councillor Nicu Ion additionally function.
The Labour supply stated Mr Driscoll’s look on the occasion with Mr Loach and “then refusing to apologise” is “clearly incompatible with our promise to have zero tolerance of antisemitism”.
Mr Driscoll spoke with Mr Loach at Newcastle’s Live Theatre in March in an occasion the Jewish Labour Movement referred to as “hugely upsetting” for the Jewish group.
Mr Loach, celebrated for movies together with I, Daniel Blake, was expelled from Labour in 2021 throughout what he referred to as a “purge” of Corbyn allies.
Labour has by no means confirmed why Mr Loach was kicked out of the social gathering, nevertheless it got here amid allegations of enjoying down antisemitism.
The director had claimed “exaggerated or false charges” of anti-Jewish racism had coincided with Mr Corbyn’s management, including: “Discredit his supporters and you weaken his leadership.”
Mr Driscoll has stated he determined to share the platform with the director as a result of he has chosen the North East for movie areas, including that “the audience loved it”.
Mr McDonnell stated omitting Mr Driscoll from the record regardless of him being “widely credited with doing a great job” was “staggering news”.
“To refuse to allow a serving mayor onto even a selection long list demonstrates that factionalism in the party is completely out of control,” he stated.
“There can be no other motive for excluding him.”
The determination got here within the wake of Sir Keir blocking Mr Corbyn from standing for the social gathering in Islington North on the subsequent basic election.
Labour stated the social gathering holds “candidates to a very high standard”.
“During this process, some applicants did not meet the threshold required to proceed to the longlist stage.
“We do not comment on individual applications,” a press release stated.
“Local members now have a fantastic longlist of candidates from which they will choose the Labour Party’s candidate to be the very first North East mayor.”
Senior Conservatives had been amongst these backing Mr Driscoll.
Former levelling-up secretary Simon Clarke stated he feels “very sorry” for the mayor he described as “knowledgeable, passionate about the NE and refreshingly non-partisan”.
Having labored with him as vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi stated Mr Driscoll “was always professional and didn’t play politics, just wanted to protect the people he represents”.
“Sorry to hear this Jamie. You are a good man. Stay strong,” the previous chancellor added.