Why Ken Livingstone has quit Labour
Two-year anti-Semitism saga had ‘become a distraction’
Ken Livingstone has announced he has resigned from the Labour party, following a two-year anti-Semitism row that led to his suspension in 2016.
The former Mayor of London had been accused of anti-Semitism after he claimed that “Zionists had collaborated with Adolf Hitler”, The Times reports. He repeated the statement several times after he was suspended from the party.
“The ongoing issues around my suspension from the Labour party have become a distraction from the key political issue of our time – which is to replace a Tory government,” Livingstone said in a statement.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Livingstone was under pressure to leave the party after Shami Chakrabarti, who produced a report about anti-Semitism in Labour, “hinted that she might quit the Labour frontbench if he was not expelled from the party”, The Guardian reports.
The former London mayor was due to face a fresh round of disciplinary action from the party next week, and reportedly made the decision to resign after being made aware that several senior members of the National Executive Committee would once again call for him to be expelled.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that Livingstone’s resignation was the right thing to do, but added it was “sad after such a long and vital contribution to London and progressive politics”.
The Campaign Against Antisemitsm said Corbyn’s decision to express sorrow about Livingstone’s resignation had “rubbed salt into the wound”, says the BBC.
Labour MP Ruth Smeeth said Livingstone’s decision was “welcome”, adding that his “toxic views” should have led to his expulsion from the party “years ago”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A history of student protest at Columbia University
The Explainer Anti-Israel demonstrations at NYC's Ivy League university echo protests against Vietnam War and South African apartheid
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Trump is ruled in contempt'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's biggest political donors
The Explainer With the 2024 general election set to be the highest-spending contest ever we look at who is giving to which party and why
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What will £28bn green investment U-turn cost Labour?
Today's Big Question Dropping flagship pledge 'will confirm workers' scepticism of the endless promises of jam tomorrow', said union leader
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How many seats do Labour and the Tories need to win?
In depth Changes to constituency boundaries mean Labour needs even bigger swing at next election to form a majority
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published