The Leader of the Opposition in the Welsh Parliament has
expressed “shock” at the news that is featuring in the same line-up as infamous
left-wing figures thrown out of the Labour Party for their
association with anti-Semitism.
The First Minister of Wales and Leader of the Welsh Labour Party
will be speaking at “The World Transformed” event in Brighton, at
the same time as the UK Labour Party conference.
He will be speaking alongside – who lost the Labour whip for his response to a
Equality and Human Right Commission report into the party where
he denied the alleged scale on anti-Semitism – and film director
Ken Loach who was thrown out of the Party.
Mr Loach has previously confirmed that he was expelled for his
membership of the proscribed Labour Against the Witch-hunt group,
known for dramatically downplaying the extent of anti-Semitism in
the Party. Challenged in 2017 about whether he supported
Holocaust deniers speaking at the Labour fringe, Mr Loach
responded: “History is for all of us to discuss.”
The Wales Against Antisemitism group tweeted: “Why does , as First Minister of Wales, think it appropriate
to speak at this event, given antisemitism controversies
involving many of his fellow speakers?”
The First Minister has also failed to respond to Jewish News’
approach for comment.
The World Transformed is marketed as a “welcoming space for a new
generation of young activists who supported Corbyn’s leadership”
but feel “increasingly alienated” by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour.
Also featuring on the line-up is former Shadow Chancellor
, MP , and who
authored the report that “whitewashed” the problem of anti-Jewish
sentiment in the Labour Party.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative leader , said:
“Given he is the leader of the Welsh Government and Welsh Labour,
you would think would have no truck in attending a counter-event at
his own party’s conference, hand-in-hand with cranks thrown out
of that very party for their association with anti-Semitism?
“This demonstrates a huge lack of judgment and sensitivity on the
First Minister’s part – how will Wales’ Jewish community feel in
seeing him cosy up with those who have shown disregard to the
very real presence of the world’s oldest form of racism in the
Labour Party?
“Drakeford’s actions begs the question of why he thinks it is
appropriate to make friends with those Sir has said has no place in the Party. Is there trouble
in paradise between the UK and Welsh leaders given the event is
for those who feel ‘increasingly alienated’ by Starmer’s
leadership?”
