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Livingstone accused of undermining election campaigns Livingstone accused of undermining election campaigns
(35 minutes later)
Adolf Hitler’s thoughts on Zionism was not a topic that Labour MPs and activists wanted to be discussing on doorsteps across the country on Friday.Adolf Hitler’s thoughts on Zionism was not a topic that Labour MPs and activists wanted to be discussing on doorsteps across the country on Friday.
But Ken Livingstone’s defence of an MP who had been suspended over antisemitism have made life difficult for the party’s campaigners ahead of Scottish, Welsh and local elections on Thursday. But Ken Livingstone’s defence of an MP who had been suspended over allegations of antisemitism have made life difficult for the party’s campaigners before Scottish, Welsh and local elections next Thursday.
Mike Gapes, Labour MP for Ilford South, a former vice chair of Labour Friends of Israel, said there was fury among campaigners at the “attention-seeking” antics of Livingstone at such a sensitive time. Mike Gapes, the Labour MP for Ilford South and a former vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel, said there was fury among campaigners over the “attention-seeking” antics of Livingstone at such a sensitive time.
“He knew very well what he was doing,” said Gapes. “We are fighting the election campaign in London and my view is what Ken Livingstone has done is undermining Labour’s election campaign, regardless of what he’s actually said. The timing of it cannot be worse in terms of taking attention away. “He knew very well what he was doing,” Gapes said. “We are fighting the election campaign in London and my view is what Ken Livingstone has done is undermining Labour’s election campaign, regardless of what he’s actually said. The timing of it cannot be worse in terms of taking attention away.
“We’ve got a campaign in London where we can’t talk about the issues because of the dog-whistle anti-Muslim campaign of the Tories on one side and on the other side ridiculous and inflammatory and disgusting stuff from Ken Livingstone. I feel very strongly this could be damaging our chances in London.”“We’ve got a campaign in London where we can’t talk about the issues because of the dog-whistle anti-Muslim campaign of the Tories on one side and on the other side ridiculous and inflammatory and disgusting stuff from Ken Livingstone. I feel very strongly this could be damaging our chances in London.”
The scene had been set for Labour to hold its own in the local and Welsh assembly elections, with anger against the Conservatives over a botched budget and the steel crisis, and Ukip obsessed with the EU referendum to the exclusion of much else. The scene had been set for Labour to hold its own in the local and Welsh assembly elections, benefiting from anger towards the Conservatives over a botched budget and the steel crisis, and Ukip’s obsession with the EU referendum to the exclusion of much else.
The picture looked bleaker for the party against the Scottish National Party and Tories in Scotland, but Sadiq Khan appears poised to retake London for Labour after eight years of Conservative rule under Boris Johnson. The picture looked bleaker for the party against the SNP and the Tories in Scotland, but Sadiq Khan appears poised to retake London for Labour after eight years of Conservative rule under Boris Johnson.
The furore caused by Livingstone, a former London mayor, may have narrowed the race in the capital, especially in light of Conservative attempts to associate Khan with Islamist extremism, according to activists on the ground.The furore caused by Livingstone, a former London mayor, may have narrowed the race in the capital, especially in light of Conservative attempts to associate Khan with Islamist extremism, according to activists on the ground.
Many MPs now appear to be trying to hold their tongues until the elections are over. But tensions are still bubbling over whether Jeremy Corbyn or anyone in his leadership team will mount any attempt to save Livingstone from permanent expulsion after that point, perhaps depending on how secure the leader’s position looks after the result on 6 May. Many MPs now appear to be trying to hold their tongues until the elections are over. But tensions are still bubbling over the question of whether Jeremy Corbyn or anyone in his leadership team will mount an attempt to save Livingstone from permanent expulsion after that point, perhaps depending on how secure the leader’s position looks after the results on 6 May.
Corbyn critic Ian Austin, Labour MP for Dudley North, where the party is fighting to keep control of the local council, said: “Every decent member of the Labour party will think Ken Livingstone has to be expelled and if he isn’t I think it will be a huge problem for the Labour party. Ian Austin, a Corbyn critic and Labour MP for Dudley North, where the party is fighting to keep control of the local council, said: “Every decent member of the Labour party will think Ken Livingstone has to be expelled and if he isn’t I think it will be a huge problem for the Labour party.
“It is extraordinary. Ken Livingstone should have been out delivering leaflets for Sadiq Khan. And yet he has been going on the media and talking about Adolf Hitler.”“It is extraordinary. Ken Livingstone should have been out delivering leaflets for Sadiq Khan. And yet he has been going on the media and talking about Adolf Hitler.”
Shadow ministerial sources have told the Guardian that any attempt to keep the former London mayor in the party would be likely to provoke war within Corbyn’s top team and potentially a mass walkout triggering a leadership challenge. At least five shadow cabinet ministers are now on the record making clear they want Livingstone out of the party permanently. Shadow ministerial sources have told the Guardian that any attempt to keep the former London mayor in the party would be likely to provoke war within Corbyn’s top team and potentially a mass walkout triggering a leadership challenge. At least five shadow cabinet ministers are now on the record as making clear they want Livingstone out of the party permanently.
On the left, John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor and an old adversary of Livingstone, is unlikely to be one of those fighting for him to stay, while Jon Lansman, the founder of Momentum, has openly called for him to retire.On the left, John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor and an old adversary of Livingstone, is unlikely to be one of those fighting for him to stay, while Jon Lansman, the founder of Momentum, has openly called for him to retire.
“I think they recognise he’s become a liability and I don’t think Jeremy will fight to keep him,” said one shadow cabinet minister.“I think they recognise he’s become a liability and I don’t think Jeremy will fight to keep him,” said one shadow cabinet minister.
However, the departure of Livingstone from the National Executive Committee would cause problems for the left of Labour. Insiders explain that Livingstone is the best-known member of a slate of leftwing candidates for the NEC, which has elections this summer. Others benefit from his high profile to help them get elected, potentially jeopardising the influence of Corbyn supporters on the party’s ruling body at a crucial time. However, the departure of Livingstone from the national executive committee would cause problems for the left of Labour. Insiders say Livingstone is the best-known member of a slate of leftwing candidates for the NEC, which has elections this summer. Others benefit from his high profile to help them get elected, potentially jeopardising the influence of Corbyn supporters on the party’s ruling body at a crucial time.
There is also the issue of Trident, given that both Corbyn and Livingstone are firmly opposed to renewal. The leadership had been counting on Livingstone, who was chair of the International Policy Commission until his suspension, to steer through its tricky stages of policy formation before it is put to a vote at conference in the autumn. There is also the issue of Trident, given that both Corbyn and Livingstone are firmly opposed to renewal. The leadership had been counting on Livingstone, who was chair of the international policy commission until his suspension, to steer through its tricky stages of policy formation before it is put to a vote at conference in the autumn.
A senior Labour source said: “These are a tough pair of boots to fill, but we need someone who can be an honest broker, stand up to the ‎entrenched voices on both sides of the debate, and ensure that the democratic policy-making process at party conference can take place.” A senior Labour source said: “These are a tough pair of boots to fill, but we need someone who can be an honest broker, stand up to the ‎entrenched voices on both sides of the debate, and ensure that the democratic policymaking process at party conference can take place.”
There is also a feeling among many supporters of Corbyn that they do not want to be seen to hang an old comrade out to dry at the behest of Blairite MPs and the rightwing press, even if Livingstone has made a nuisance of himself yet again. One shadow frontbencher said Livingstone had made “a rod for Jeremy’s back”, but criticised some MPs for seizing on his remarks to undermine the leadership. “There are people who want to use this to smash and bash the Corbyn project,” he said.There is also a feeling among many supporters of Corbyn that they do not want to be seen to hang an old comrade out to dry at the behest of Blairite MPs and the rightwing press, even if Livingstone has made a nuisance of himself yet again. One shadow frontbencher said Livingstone had made “a rod for Jeremy’s back”, but criticised some MPs for seizing on his remarks to undermine the leadership. “There are people who want to use this to smash and bash the Corbyn project,” he said.
Another supporter of Corbyn, Ronnie Campbell, Labour MP for Blyth Valley, said Livingstone’s remarks were “really stupid” and he would “pay for them”. But he said there was equally some irritation at MPs like Rachel Reeves and Andy Burnham, who like Livingstone went “trailing round the studios” inflaming the row, instead of keeping quiet. Another supporter of Corbyn, Ronnie Campbell, Labour MP for Blyth Valley, said Livingstone’s remarks were “really stupid” and he would “pay for them”. But he said there was equally some irritation at MPs such as Rachel Reeves and Andy Burnham, who like Livingstone went “trailing round the studios” inflaming the row instead of keeping quiet.
Ultimately, though, the decision on whether Livingstone will be suspended will be taken by a disciplinary panel of the NEC. He will put his case to fellow members of the body on which he sat until this week, with colleagues given the final say on whether to give one of Labour’s most controversial figures one last chance.Ultimately, though, the decision on whether Livingstone will be suspended will be taken by a disciplinary panel of the NEC. He will put his case to fellow members of the body on which he sat until this week, with colleagues given the final say on whether to give one of Labour’s most controversial figures one last chance.