Lobley Hill and Bensham ward, in Gateshead in the north-east, has a large Orthodox Jewish community – and a quickly-increasing one, according to the Jewish Times.
On Thursday the ward voted, along with hundreds of others across England, in the local council elections.
The BBC has wasted no opportunity to portray results in Barnet, at the other end of England, as linked to perceived antisemitism in the Labour Party. Yet the people of Lobley Hill and Bensham increased their Labour vote – by over thirteen percent compared to the last elections in 2014.
From 48.1% in 2014 to 62.1% this week. The actual count almost doubled from 478 votes to 867.
The media would be doing its job if it reported on such facts and at least questioned whether their narrative stands up – or whether there might be other, local reasons a number of Labour councillors in Barnet lost their seats.
It has not been doing its job.
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When can we expect a statement from the Board of Deputies applauding the Labour party in Gateshead for their constructive interaction with the Jewish community?
Hey Skwawkbox,
Sometime next week Jess Phillips is guesting on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff. The website gives no details of which day.
Therefore we need Skwawkbox-ers who are free in the mornings (9.15-11.15) to be ready to phone in and give her an off-topic hard time. A hastily created on-topic question (topics announced at the top of the show) will be needed to get past the phone jockey and onto the air.
It may be worth Skwawkbox’s time to make a special post promoting this idea (if you’re in agreement) before Monday morning…
Oh God! It’s Monday and the main topic on The Wright Stuff in about 10 mins is “Is the Labour party under Corbyn going nowhere?”. On the panel is… Wes Streeting?!?!
To be fair on Matthew Wright, he’s decided to absent himself today. Make of that what you will…
Other more local reasons re Barnet?
Try LBC’s Wednesday Night show & who was on it. Don’t think you could pick LBC up in Gateshead!!