Council leader on Green Party vote Zionism

Birmingham Council’s leader has said he remains committed to the cross-party coalition running the city after being challenged on the Green Party vote on Zionism.

Cllr Roger Harmer addressed the controversy at a meeting this week after three Birmingham Labour MPs recently urged his party – the Liberal Democrats – to leave the coalition if Green Party cabinet members did not disown a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism.

The policy was adopted at the Greens’ national party conference in October and has divided senior Green politicians while also attracting criticism from Jewish groups and other political parties.

The Lib Dem and Green Party groups in Birmingham are part of the alliance currently running the council in the Second City, having joined forces with various independents in the aftermath of this year’s dramatic local elections.

At a full council meeting, the council leader was questioned about the Green’s Zionism motion by Reform group leader Cllr Jex Parkin during a tense exchange.

“Sir Ed Davey [national Lib Dem leader] has called upon Liberal Democrats governing with Greens in local government to insist that their Green Party partners publicly reject the motion and actively campaign for its reversal,” Cllr Parkin said.

“Will you now do as exactly as your party leader has asked and make sure that Birmingham’s Green councillors do exactly that?”

Cllr Harmer said in response that his party remains focused on delivering the commitments set out in the Fairer Birmingham Partnership Agreement (FBPA), which outlines the coalition’s main priorities.

“[The agreement] is not a merger of political parties and each party continues to hold and express its own national policies and positions,” he said.

“This administration was formed following an election that produced a highly fractured council chamber to provide stable leadership for Birmingham City Council.

“The council endured a major financial crisis in 2023 […] and stable leadership is vital for its continued recovery.

“Given the position other parties have taken about who they would and would not work with, no alternative administration could be credibly formed.”

He continued that the FBPA commits the administration to tackling important issues such as the ongoing bins strike, fly-tipping and cleaning up the streets.

“As long as the other members of this administration remain committed to it, we will too,” he said. “Whatever our differences on national issues, the Liberal Democrats will continue to uphold our own values and the position set by our party leadership.

“We accept that other parties within the administration will do the same. We have always been clear that antisemitism, racism and other forms of hatred have no place in our society.”

Cllr Harmer went on to say that he disagrees with the Zionism motion passed by the Green Party and remains “firmly committed to a two-state solution”.

“But be in no doubt, Birmingham Greens also remain firmly committed to the FBPA and will not seek to change any aspect of it as a result of the motion passed,” he said.

“Our priority remains delivering competent, stable and accountable local government for Birmingham residents.

“The FBPA provides us with the framework to deliver that within a multi-party administration and we remain fully committed to it.”

Cllr Jex Parkin hit back by saying the council leader “couldn’t hide behind the Fairer Birmingham Partnership Agreement”.

“Why won’t he [Cllr Harmer] condemn it?” the Reform councillor said. “Has he not got the bottle or does he simply not care about that motion?”

“I think he should actually listen to my answer,” Cllr Harmer responded. “I did say I disagree with that motion.

“But the Green Party has made clear that nothing in that motion will change their commitment to the Fairer Birmingham Partnership Agreement.

“Therefore it stands and we will continue in this administration to deliver it.”

Cllr Harmer also addressed a question from the public gallery about the motion, saying: “People can be assured that we will continue to govern this city on the basis of the partnership agreement.

“People can have confidence in that.”

‘We stand against antisemitism’ – Greens

In a recent letter to Cllr Harmer, Labour MPs Al Carns, Jess Phillips and Preet Gill called on Green Party cabinet members at Birmingham Council to disown the Zionism motion.

Birmingham Green Party said in a statement issued last month that its councillors have an “unwavering commitment” to representing all Birmingham’s faiths and local communities.

“We remain committed to representing and working for all Birmingham residents, whatever their views or backgrounds,” a spokesperson said.

“As Green Councillors we are focusing on our local priorities; to clean up our city, protect local services and create a fairer, more inclusive Birmingham.

“We remain committed to the Fairer Birmingham Partnership Agreement and the commitment within it, that we are proud to represent all the communities in our city in all their diversity, and to stand against all forms of hate.”

They continued: “We stand against rising antisemitism. Jewish residents have an absolute right to feel safe and valued in a city they helped to build.

“We will also continue to stand in opposition to genocide, ethnic cleansing, apartheid and the illegal occupation. We look to a future where Palestinians, Israelis – and indeed all communities – can be free, secure and prosperous.

“We do not believe these things are in conflict. Antisemitism, and criticism of actions by the Israeli state are and must always be, completely distinct – blurring the line between the two is not only wrong but antisemitic and makes Jewish people less safe.

“In the face of growing intolerance and division, our responsibility here in Birmingham remains clear: to champion diversity, safety and inclusion.”

By Alexander Brock | Local Democracy Reporting Service