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Wavertree MP Luciana Berger has told local party members that their behaviour towards her shows Labour has a serious problem with antisemitism.

Berger, who is Jewish and eight months pregnant, faced a no confidence vote from her own Labour branch.

After being accused of bullying her , activists withdrew their motion, and on Valentine's Day the rival factions tried to put their differences behind them .

In an email to party members, Berger said she could not be at the Valentine's Day meeting because of important votes in Parliament.

She said that antisemitism stained the Labour party, and added: "When the executive of our own Constituency Labour Party can call a meeting to debate no confidence motions in me, one of which was moved by a man who has publicly described me as a ‘disruptive Zionist’ I believe we have a serious problem."

Berger said she would not "hide my long held view that Brexit will be a disaster for the people of Liverpool Wavertree and the wider country".

Here is the Luciana Berger email in full

I was unable to join you last night as I was in Parliament for important Brexit votes. Had I been there this what I would have wanted to say in person.

I joined the Labour Party as a teenager inspired by its history and record of making change happen in the interests of the many. The creation of the welfare state, our National Health Service, universal comprehensive education, the Open University set up to reach those who had had never aspired to a university education, the National Minimum Wage, Sure Start to break generational cycles of poverty and give every child the best start in life. Each and every one is an achievement of a politics that reaches outward toward people and strives tirelessly to bring people together.

I want to make it clear to the members in Liverpool Wavertree that, for me, nothing in my political outlook has altered. I am as committed today to the values that led me to join the Party - equality for all, anti-racism against all and social justice - as I ever have been.

The past year and recent events in particular have been very difficult.

You will not have failed to notice the Liverpool Wavertree Constituency Labour Party no-confidence motions in me as your Member of Parliament and in the executive committee, that allowed those motions to be brought forward, which have been flying around like confetti in springtime.

The motions have been withdrawn. That is welcome, but it should not lead anyone to believe that there are not real issues of substance that remain.

First, I do not believe that our Party has faced up to and is dealing with antisemitism with the speed and seriousness that is desperately required. I do not believe that Labour Party membership should be extended to anyone who is racist and shares antisemitic material.

I have made no secret that I have been deeply disturbed by the lack of response from the leadership of the party to the antisemitism that stains our party. I and my colleagues have been calling on the leadership for months to put in place proper measures to tackle this issue. I joined colleagues in the Parliamentary Labour Party just over a week ago in a unanimous call on the Party to be transparent about what it has and has not done to root out antisemitism. I was deeply disturbed at the leadership’s lack of positive engagement.

The Party has, after much campaigning, finally adopted the internationally recognised definition of antisemitism with all of its examples. Whether or not any individual or group agrees or disagrees with every dot and comma of the definition, the simple fact is that the Party has rightly adopted it as the measure by which our words and actions must be judged.

The Parliamentary Labour Party asked for a report detailing how the work to root out antisemitism is progressing. We did not ask for names or personal details or seek confidential material. We simply wanted a report that would help build confidence that the Party is dealing with antisemitism.

The report we received was partial at best. It excluded thousands of pre-2018 complaints, and revealed that just 12 people have actually been expelled while 146 have received a ‘reminder of conduct’.

Members from across the country have asked me why the party does not offer quality training on the issue, to help everyone join in the conversation and create an inclusive atmosphere where all members feel welcome and safe. It is shameful that the Party has still not confirmed what training will be provided.

The sad, frustrating, deeply disappointing fact is that I do not believe the Labour Party leadership is properly dealing with antisemitism. When the executive of our own Constituency Labour Party can call a meeting to debate no confidence motions in me, one of which was moved by a man who has publicly described me as a ‘disruptive Zionist’ I believe we have a serious problem.

I will not be a bystander to antisemitism. I will continue unapologetically and with the support of the vast majority, to call out antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head.

Secondly, I have not, and will not, hide my long held view that Brexit will be a disaster for the people of Liverpool Wavertree and the wider country.

Liverpool as a whole voted to Remain in 2016 and the majority for Remain in Liverpool Wavertree was higher that the city average. The most recent analysis shows that 72.8 per cent of constituents today support remaining in the European Union, with 80 per cent of Labour Party voters backing a People’s Vote to break the parliamentary deadlock.

(Image: Geoff Davies)

In September, here in Liverpool, at its annual conference, the Labour Party unanimously backed a motion that stated: ‘Should Parliament vote down a Tory Brexit deal or the talks end in no-deal, Conference believes this would constitute a loss of confidence in the Government. In these circumstances, the best outcome for the country is an immediate General Election that can sweep the Tories from power. If we cannot get a general election Labour must support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote. If the Government is confident in negotiating a deal that working people, our economy and communities will benefit from they should not be afraid to put that deal to the public.’

I, along with my Labour colleagues, have now tried, and sadly failed, to force a General Election. I will not help the Tories get their disastrous deal through which will directly negatively impact on the livelihoods of people locally. The best outcome would be to trust the people with a new vote. My position is fully in line with the views expressed by Labour Party members and is in line with the views expressed by voters in Liverpool Wavertree. I will not stop speaking out on this - the most critical issue facing our country for decades.

These are fraught political times. Despite this I am determined to continue making change happen in the interests of the thousands of constituents I am privileged to represent.

Best wishes,

Luciana