Brief
Andy Burnham rules out coalition with Green Party over antisemitic motion
Burnham’s refusal follows a Green Party conference motion that defined Zionism as racism, prompting criticism from party leaders and Jewish groups.
By Felo News Desk · Published
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs during Prime Minister’s Questions that he will not consider any future power‑sharing deal with the Green Party, describing a motion passed at the party’s recent conference as "antisemitic".
What happened
During a session of PMQs, Tory MP Dame Harriet Baldwin asked Burnburn whether he would rule out any post‑election coalition with the Greens after the party’s conference in Manchester approved a motion defining Zionism as racism. Burnburn responded that the motion was "wrong" and "antisemitic" and that his government would have "nothing to do with it". He added that any partnership with a party holding such a position would be unacceptable.
What the reports add
The Independent noted that the Green motion sparked condemnation from former Green leader Caroline Lucas and from Green MPs, and that Green leader Zack Polanski was criticised for not voting on the motion because he was campaigning in a by‑election in Holborn and St Pancras, which he lost to Labour’s Sagal Abdi‑Wali. The article also mentioned that Burnburn has been pushing for electoral reform toward proportional representation, which could make coalition governments more likely.
What was said
Burnburn said, "Can I condemn the motion that was passed unequivocally? It is wrong. It is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it." Ben Judah, a former adviser to David Lammy, told The Independent that the ruling out of a partnership was "hugely welcome". Adam Langleben of Progress called the motion "the most antisemitic motion passed by any major political party in Europe, ever".
How it came about
The controversy follows earlier reporting by Felo News on the Green Party’s Zionism‑as‑racism motion (green‑party‑zionism‑motion‑extremist‑capture‑warning) and criticism of Polanski’s handling of the vote (polanski‑zionism‑motion‑criticism). Burnburn’s stance arrives amid speculation of an early election and his broader push for electoral reform.
Key facts
- Prime Minister Andy Burnburn said he will not partner with the Green Party because of a motion defining Zionism as racism. (independent.co.uk)
- The Green Party motion was passed at its Manchester conference and labelled antisemitic by Burnburn. (independent.co.uk)
- Green leader Zack Polanski did not vote on the motion as he was campaigning in the Holborn and St Pancras by‑election, which he lost. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Andy Burnham rules out deal with Green Party”
