John McDonnell evokes Cable Street in call to oppose Tommy Robinson
Shadow Chancellor calls for opposition to the former leader of the English Defence League, amid speculation he'll join a pro-Brexit march
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has called for a show of opposition against the “poison” politics of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, invoking the Battle of Cable Street.
With Mr Robinson expected to feature prominently in a Brexit march in London two days before the Commons votes on the UK’s EU withdrawal deal, Mr McDonnell urged Labour supporters to join a counter-demonstration.
He called for a mass protest against Mr Robinson at the December 9 march, and said: “This march isn’t about Brexit, it’s about far-right extremists dressing up in suits and pretending to be respectable.
“It doesn’t matter whether you voted leave or remain, Tommy Robinson doesn’t represent you.
“A newly-energised, well-funded network of hate is emerging, from Steve Bannon in the US to the former EDL leader Tommy Robinson at home, and it threatens the very fabric of our nation.
Mr McDonnell added: “The working class of Britain have a proud history of beating the far-right.
“In Lewisham in the 1970s the National Front were outnumbered by nearly 10 to one.
“At Cable Street, the local Jewish community and socialists from across Britain stood firm against Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts.”
Last week, the Board of Deputies condemned UKIP leader Gerard Batten for appointing English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson as an adviser on rape gangs and prison reform. They tweeted: “Today’s revelation, that UKIP leader Gerard Batten has hired Tommy Robinson as an advisor, is a disgrace. This isn’t the first time we’ve noted UKIP’s association with the far-right. They need to change course immediately.”
They also said Robinson’s invite to parliament by the party was “utterly wrong”.
McDonnell comments come after the appointment of Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, as an adviser on rape gangs and prison reform to Ukip leader Gerard Batten caused controversy.
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who has denounced Mr Robinson as a “thug”, has called for Mr Batten to be ousted over the move.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
