The Labour Party has published the action plan for tackling antisemitism within its ranks after gaining approval from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Reports indicate that the plan was developed in six weeks after the EHRC report was published and has now been released in full.
It commits the party to having an independent complaints process “up and running” and being used to determine all antisemitism complaints by December 10th next year. This allows time for a party conference to be held. Labour also plans to “pursue independent elements” of the process in the meantime, however, which can take place without rulebook changes requiring a conference. Such elements include independent scrutiny of complaint handling.
The reforms are summarised in the plan as follows:
- Leadership committed to zero-tolerance of antisemitism, culture change and action against offenders
- Independent antisemitism complaints handling process to be set up as soon as possible
- All national executive committee and national constitutional committee antisemitism panels to be assisted by external lawyers
- Consultation with the Jewish community will be built into all aspects of the action plan. With immediate effect, we will establish a high-level advisory board and a reference group to work closely with the Labour Party and act as a sounding board
- Summary of case decisions to be posted on the Labour Party website
- Strengthen due diligence checks on candidates
- Labour Party website to be updated with dedicated pages for antisemitism complaints
- Develop a complaints handling handbook for all staff and to especially guide those handling antisemitism complaints
- Strengthen social media guidelines to make clear that sharing or liking antisemitic content will be subject to disciplinary action
- Deliver, alongside Jewish stakeholders, appropriate antisemitism training for all staff
- Protocol to be published governing the Leadership’s interaction with disciplinary and complaints procedures
In the plan’s foreword, Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner note, “First, we will change the way complaints of antisemitism and all other forms of racism are handled. We will be establishing an independent process to investigate complaints of antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, sexual harassment and any discrimination based on protected characteristics.
“To implement this action plan effectively, we will set up an advisory board composed of members from the Jewish community and a reference group to act as a sounding board and critical friend.”
