Burnham condemns Green motion

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Labour will have nothing to do with the Green Party's decision to describe Zionism as racism, calling it antisemitic and wrong.

“It is wrong. It is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it.”

Challenged at prime minister's questions

Conservative MP Dame Harriet Baldwin pressed Burnham to rule out a future deal with the Greens, comparing it to Kemi Badenoch's rejection of Reform UK over racist comments.

Coalition concerns amid election talk

The issue has become urgent because polls suggest an early general election could produce a centre left coalition. Burnham previously called for electoral reform to a more proportional system.

Labour figures welcome the stance

Ben Judah, former adviser to David Lammy, said Burnham's statement was hugely welcome. Adam Langleben of Progress called the Green motion the most antisemitic passed by any major European political party.

“The motion is the most antisemitic motion passed by any major political party in Europe, ever.”

Polanski faces criticism over leadership

Green Party leader Zack Polanski was criticised for not voting on the motion because he was fighting the by-election in Holborn and St Pancras, which he lost to Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali.

Polanski defends distinction between terms

Polanski posted on social media that he is deeply concerned about the cynical blurring of Zionism and Judaism, and that Jewish people must never face prejudice or discrimination.

“As a British Jew, I'm deeply concerned about the cynical blurring of Zionism & Judaism.”