Corbynistas FAIL to oust Jewish MP Margaret Hodge over her criticism of Jeremy Corbyn and his failure to tackle anti-Semitism in the Labour party
- Barking MP faced an attempt to de-select her last night ahead of an election
- But veteran parliamentarian saw off challenge from far left of the Labour Party
- She tweeted a picture of herself with supporters, plus the message: ‘Victory!’
Vocal Jeremy Corbyn critic Dame Margaret Hodge has seen off an attempt by hard-Left followers of the Labour leader to kick her out of her seat.
The Jewish MP for Barking faced an attempt to de-select her last night ahead of a widely anticipated pre-Christmas general election.
But the 75-year-old, who has repeatedly clashed with the party leadership about growing anti-Semitism in Labour ranks, overcame a ‘trigger’ motion with a clear majority of local members.
She tweeted a picture of herself on stage with supporters with the message: ‘Victory!’
It is the latest in a series of selection setbacks for the far left of Labour.
The Jewish MP for Barking faced an attempt to de-select her last night ahead of a widely anticipated pre-Christmas general election.
An outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyn, on one occasion Dame Margaret told Mr Corbyn to his face that he was an ‘anti-Semite and racist’
As well as failing to oust Dame Margaret and Hull North’s Diana Johnson it also failed to get supporters into a string of seats left vacant by retiring MPs in votes at the weekend.
Dame Margaret’s colleague Ruth Smeeth, parliamentary chairwoman of the Jewish Labour Movement, said: ‘I just want to put on record the fact that Margaret Hodge, the honourable (member) for Barking, has been re-selected this evening, against an appalling attack by members of our party and I am delighted she remains a Labour candidate at the next general election.’
Labour had been accused of anti-Semitism when Dame Margaret Hodge was told she would face a re-selection battle in her east London constituency.
An outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyn, on one occasion Dame Margaret told Mr Corbyn to his face that he was an ‘anti-Semite and racist’.
She was forced into the re-selection fight after activists in her constituency voted for the chance to pick a new candidate.
At the time, Labour’s former deputy leader Harriet Harman said she was ‘dismayed more than I can say’ by the vote.
She tweeted: ‘Margaret Hodge, scourge of tax avoiders, racists and anti-Semitism. Champion of progressive policies. Hyperactive local MP. Surely this cannot stand!’
Dame Margaret was the second Labour MP to be ‘triggered’ through the party’s new ballot procedures which make it easier for local members to force a contest.
She said at the time that she was ‘disappointed’ but would fight to keep her Barking seat.
Four other MPs have also been triggered but have yet to face a vote: Roger Godsiff, Emma Lewell-Buck, Kate Osamor and Virendra Sharma.