Veteran MP quits Labour Party in protest over anti-Semitism

One of the North West’s longest serving Labour MPs has quit the party amid the ongoing anti-Semitism row.

Liverpool MP Louise Ellman has left the Labour Party saying Jeremy Corbyn is not fit to become Prime Minister.

Dame Louise Ellman, who is of Jewish descent, said in a letter she had been “deeply troubled” by the “growth of anti-Semitism” in the party in recent years.

Mrs Ellman has been a party member for 55 years but said she “can no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM”.

Mrs Ellman, who became an MP in 1997, said anti-Semitism had become “mainstream” in Labour under Mr Corbyn’s leadership.

“I believe that Jeremy Corbyn is not fit to serve as our prime minister,” she said.

“With a looming general election and the possibility of him becoming prime minister, I feel I have to take a stand.”

Mrs Ellman described her decision as “truly agonising, as it has been for the thousands of other party members who have already left”.

“Jewish members have been bullied, abused and driven out,” Mrs Ellman added.

“A party that permits anti-Jewish racism to flourish cannot be called anti-racist.

“This is not compatible with the Labour Party’s values of equality, tolerance and respect for minorities.

“My values – traditional Labour values – have remained the same. It is Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, that has changed.”

A party spokesman said Mr Corbyn thanked Mrs Ellman for her service “over many years”.

“Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party are fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and continue to take robust action to root out anti-Semitism in the party and wider society,” they said.

She was elected as a councillor on the Lancashire County Council in 1970, becoming the Labour group leader in 1977 and leader of the council from 1981 until her election to Parliament in 1997.

She was also Vice-Chair of Lancashire Enterprises.