The ‘Jewish Voter’
Despite the fact that there are not many constituencies- even wards- where the community could be said to be able to ‘make a difference’ to the outcome of an election even if they voted en masse for the same candidate, there are a few and it is thus useful to acknowledge certain community factors of relevance.
- The Jewish community has traditionally been a high voting community. Prior to the sixties the majority of these votes were cast for Labour. However, in the eighties many in the community had prospered and were wooed by promises extended by Thatcherism. By 1997, however, many had again become disillusioned and turned to Labour. But this attachment is not strong.
- This is partly due to a false impression that some people have of Labour’s stand on a number of issues, including the Middle East and many of the Government’s real achievements in office.
- Another factor is that since David Cameron became leader of the Conservative Party, strenuous efforts have been made to re-engage with the Jewish community. It is clear that the Conservatives under Cameron are working hard to garner Jewish support.
- The Liberal Democrats are also ‘peeling’ core voters in certain areas, often by means of personal engagement at a local level. Some of their successful candidates in 2005 were Jewish, and this helps to produce an affinity- which can even outweigh the effect of utterances by Baroness Tonge!
Three key issue areas which should encourage Jewish voters to choose Labour
1 BNP
- Rise of the BNP and the need for a strident Labour response. As a community mainly descended from settler migrants the Jewish comminuty has a paricular interest in thwarting attempts to drive wedges between British people of different origins. It is thus crucial to maximise the anti BNP vote and make sure that these are Labour votes.
- We are especially concerned that particular effort on campaigning of this nature takes place in constituencies where the BNP has established a rising profile, either through success in getting candidates elected locally, as in Barking where Margaret Hodge is facing a challenge from Nick Griffin, or where the BNP has managed to make gains in terms of votes at the European Parliament elections, as in the North West and North East. Margaret Hodge needs all the support she can get.
2 Israel and the Middle East
- The government- under the leadership of both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown- has worked hard to ensure a fair and just settlement in the Israel-Palestinian conflict which does not compromise Israel’s security.
- The government has indicated that it willing to change the procedures in the use of International Arrest Warrants and it is a pity that this was not completed prior to the election. However, a Labour government would be committed to dealing with this as a priority in the next parliament.
- Attempts to institute boycotts against Israeli goods and personnel, especially academics, have been repeatedly decried by the government, which has always stressed the benefit of dialogue.
3 The government’s record
The Labour governments since 1997 have taken action on a number of issues which are of particular concern to the Jewish community. Among these are the following.
- Social cohesion. This includes listening to ‘faith communities both within Labour Party structures and beyond.
- Holocaust education.
- An annual Holocaust Memorial Day which takes on 27th January, the date of the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz in 1945, was inaugurated in 2001, and represents Britain’s response to an international initiative.
- Holocaust education has been greatly supported by both the Blair and Brown administrations and increasing investment has been provided to enablesecondary school students to visit Auschwitz in order to demonstrate how the Holocaust affected individuals and especially children and families
- Education. Labour came to power in 1997 on the back of the mantra of ‘education, education, education’. The government has been especially favourable to increasing standards across all schools and to ensure that they meet the cultural needs of their local communities. In particular Labour governments have been sympathetic to the establishment and maintenance of faith schools, which has benefited the Jewish community.
- Dealing with anti-Semitism. Not only did the government support the establishment of the All Party Parliamentary Committee on Antisemitism in 2005 but it also welcomed an extensive Report on the state of anti-Semitism in Britain which was carried out in 2006. In February 2007, the Government published its Response to the Report in which it supported almost all proposals made.
- Community security. The government has supported arrangements for the police to co-operate with the Community Security Trust in order to maintain the safety and security of the community. This is especially important ion relation to Jewish Schools.
Candidates and constituencies of special interest to the JLM
Luciana Berger – candidate for Liverpool Wavertree.
Luciana was a management consultant and director of Labour Friends of Israel and an active campaigner on anti-racism. Her main campaign issues are forging links with business leaders and combating anti-social behaviour and housing.
Bambos Charalambous –candidate for Enfield Southgate.
Bambos grew up in Enfield and currently Deputy Leader of Enfield Labour Group. Professionally he practices as a solicitor and works for Hackney Council, specialising in housing law.
Andrew Dismore – Hendon
Andrew is a lawyer and has been MP for Hendon since 2001. He chairs the Committee on Human Rights. As Leader of the Westminster Labour Group he led the campaign in exposing the biggest act of corruption in local government history, the Tories’
‘Homes for Votes’ scandal under their infamous leader, Dame Shirley Porter.
Louise Ellman –Liverpool Riverside
Louise has been a MP since 1997 and chairs the Select Committee on Transport. Previously she was a member of Lancashire County Council from 1970 to 1007, and leader from 1981. Louise is chair of the Jewish Labour Movement and vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel.
Mike Gapes – Ilford South
Mike was elected in 1992. He was International Secretary of the Labour Party and became Chair of the House of Commons Select Committee on Foreign Affairs Committee in 2005, having earlier served on the Select Committee on Defence.
Barry Gardiner – Brent North
Barry has been MP since 1997. He has served in various Departments including Trade and DEFRA. He is chairman of Labour Friends of India and a former Vice Chair of Labour Friends of Israel.
Fabian Hamilton – Leeds North East
Fabian was elected in 1997. He was a Leeds City Councillor from 1987. A graphic designer by profession, Fabian is a very active backbencher and serves on a number of all-party committees.
Margaret Hodge – Barking
First elected to parliament in 1994, Margaret had previously served on Islington Borough Council for twenty years and was Leader from 1982-92. She is currently Minister for Culture, Media and Sport and has held a variety of Ministerial offices since 1998, including in the areas of children and young people, industry and the regions. Her policy interests include equality, education and support for public services. This election, Margaret is facing a challenge from Nick Griffin of the BNP.
Glenda Jackson – Hampstead and Highgate
First elected to Parliament in 1992, Glenda served as Minister of Transport with responsibility for London Transport in the first Blair government. She has also served on several committees of the House of Commons and has a special interest in homelessness.
Karen Jennings – Hornsey & Wood Green
Karen lives in Muswell Hill. She is National Secretary (Health) for Unison and chairs the most senior negotiating committee in the NHS representing 1.3 million health workers.
Ivan Lewis – Bury South.
Ivan has served as MP since 1997. He was born, and has lived all his life, in the constituency. He has served as Minister in various Departments, including Education, Treasury, and International Development. His latest role has been as Minister of State in the Foreign Office which includes dealing with Middle East policy.
Tony McNulty – Harrow East, MP since 1997.
Tony was Leader of Harrow Labour Group and a senior Lecturer at North London University. He has served as a Minister In various Departments, including the Home Office.
Dr Denis Macshane – Rotherham
Denis has represented Rotherham since 1994. Prior to entering Parliament he worked as a journalist. His main policy interests include protecting the steel industry, European issues, eradication of poverty and fighting all forms of racism. He is a former Foreign Office Minister and has published widely, including a recent book on the recent growth of anti-semitism entitled Combating Hatred.
John Mann – Bassetlaw
John is a former Trade Union official, having worked for AEEU, the TUC and TULO. He was elected in 2001 and has served on the Select Committee on Transport. He chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Committee on Anti-Semitism and has worked consistently to ensure that its recommendations are implemented.
Dr Alison Moore – Finchley & Golders Green.
Alison is a scientist and lecturer by profession and has lived in Finchley for 20 years. Elected as a councillor in 1998, she has been Leader of the Opposition on Barnet Council since 2005.
Ruth Smeeth – candidate for Burton & Uttoxeter.
Ruth works for a charity fighting racism and anti-semitism. She has run campaigns against the BNP in both London and European elections.
Stephen Twigg – candidate for Liverpool West Derby.
In 1997 Stephen was elected to parliament as MP for Enfield Southgate beating Michael Portillo, then Defence Secretary. He served in various Departments including Education. He lost his seat in 2005. Among his activities since then has been to run the Foreign Policy Centre think tank.