...If we want to see what the Leader of the Opposition would
do to our country, we can do no better than look at what he
has done to his party. Before he became Labour leader, nobody
could have imagined that a party which had fought so hard
against discrimination could become the banner under which
racists and bigots whose world view is dominated by a hatred
of Jews could gather, but that is exactly what has happened
under his leadership. British Jewish families who have lived
here for generations are asking themselves where they should
go if he ever becomes Prime Minister; that is what has
happened under his leadership. A Jewish Labour MP had to hire
a bodyguard to attend her own party conference, under the
leadership of the right hon. Gentleman. What he has done to
his party is a national tragedy. What he would do to our
country would be a national calamity...
If the Leader of the Opposition cannot support our
fighting men and women, who does he support? Who does he stand
beside? It was fascinating to discover that he was there when a
wreath was laid to commemorate those who were involved in the
massacre of Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics. He says he was
present but not involved. “Present but not involved” sums him up
when it comes to national security. When this House voted to bomb
the fascists of ISIS after an inspirational speech by the right
hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn), 66 Labour Members,
including the hon. Member for West Bromwich East, voted with this
Government to defeat fascism. I am afraid the Leader of the
Opposition was not with us. In fighting fascism, he was present but
not involved.
If the Leader of the Opposition will not stand up against Putin
when he attacks people in this country, if he will not stand up
against fascists when they are running riot in Syria, if he will
not stand up for this country when the critical national security
questions are being asked, how can we possibly expect him to
stand up for us in European negotiations? Will he stand up for us
against Spain over Gibraltar? Will he stand up against the
Commission to ensure that we get a good deal? Of course he will
not, because he will not even stand up for his own Members of
Parliament.
Why is it that a Labour Member of Parliament needs armed
protection at her own party conference? Why is it that nearly
half of female Labour MPs wrote to the Leader of the Opposition
to say that he was not standing up against the vilification and
the abuse that they received online which had been carried out in
his name? If he cannot protect his own Members of Parliament, if
he cannot protect the proud traditions of the Labour party, how
can he possibly protect this country? We cannot have confidence
in him to lead. We have confidence in this Government, which is
why I recommend that the House votes against the motion.
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