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

A Labour mayor has accused his get together 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.

Many extra migrant boats intercepted after ‘landmark offers’, says minister – Politics newest

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 primarily based on ethnic cleaning.

Mr Driscoll stated 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 stated he discovered he wouldn’t be a possible candidate for the brand new function by way of electronic mail.

The mayor stated banning folks “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 discuss the director’s filmmaking.

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

He stated 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 stated native Labour members ought to resolve who ought to run.

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

It got here shortly after the get together expelled a lot 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 basic 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 faraway from the get together who claimed Labour was “too apologetic” over the difficulty.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer gears up for an anticipated basic election subsequent 12 months, with lists of potential candidates being tightly managed.

Shadow enterprise secretary Jonathan Reynolds informed Sky News he strongly disagreed with strategies the Labour chief is attempting to purge the get together’s left.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

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

Mr Reynolds stated 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.