Will Starmer Stamp Out Anti-Semitism in U.K. Labour Party?

Keir Starmer has been elected the new leader of Britain's Labour Party succeeding Jeremy Corbyn who agreed to step down after the party was vanquished in last December's election by Boris Johnson's Tories. Starmer defeated Corbyn loyalist Rebecca Long-Bailey by greater than a 2:1 margin (56.2% to 27.6%).

Corbyn's ineffectual position on Brexit led many longtime Labour voters to turn to the Tories. Many voters, Labour and non-Labour alike, were also appalled by Corbyn's anti-Semitism. Upon winning the party leadership, Starmer called anti-Semitism "a poisonous stain" upon the party and apologized to Britain's Jewish community:

We have to face the future with honesty. On behalf of the Labour Party, I am sorry… I have seen the grief that [anti-Semitism] brought to so many Jewish communities. I will tear out this poison by its roots and judge success by the return of Jewish members and those who felt that they could no longer support us.

I sincerely hope Starmer means what he says. But I have my doubts. After all, Starmer was a member of Corbyn's shadow cabinet and said precious little while he was a member of Corbyn's inner circle as anti-Semitic incidents were taking place in the Labour Party on a daily basis. Starmer has also come under criticism for downplaying his family's Jewish heritage.

But let us say for argument's sake that Starmer is sincerely committed to eliminating anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. If this is the case then Starmer has a big challenge upon him. After all, Labour Party membership accelerated during the Corbyn years bringing in a slew of anti-Semites who still control many Labour Party constituency associations. There are also many Corbyn loyalists who hold positions on Labour's National Executive Committee. This will necessitate further inner party struggle up to and including expulsions. Starmer does have time on his side as the next election won't be until 2024.

While anti-Semitism is a poisonous stain it is also an ancient one. Conversely the Coronavirus is a poisonous stain which is gaining in strength for which there is no antidote. As such Starmer's focus on ending anti-Semitism in the party might have to be unavoidably delayed yet he cannot turn this into an excuse. Indeed, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission investigation into the Labour Party's institutional anti-Semitism remains ongoing.

If Keir Starmer can expunge anti-Semitism from the Labour Party between now and 2024 then he will have done a wonderful thing whether or not British voters see fit to elect a Labour government under his leadership.