On the same day May called Labour ‘institutionally racist’, the Tories got in bed with Europe’s antisemitic far right

Theresa May and Viktor Orban
Support us and go ad-free

On 12 September, Theresa May described Labour as ‘institutionally racist’ in a tweet. On the same day, her party voted in favour of sparing the Hungarian prime minister – who’s been accused of Islamophobia and antisemitism – of censure by the EU. The hypocrisy has not gone unnoticed.

Bare-faced cheek

At Prime Minister’s Questions, May said:

what have we seen from Labour over the past few days? Iranian State TV broadcasting no-confidence votes against Labour MPs. Police investigating anonymous and threatening letters about the de-selection of Labour MPs sent to Labour offices. And most shamefully of all: The Labour MP Chuka Umunna saying that the Labour Party is now an ‘institutionally racist party’. That’s what he’s done to Labour, just think what he’d do to this country.

All of these points have been criticised elsewhere. May later made the bold claim that she’s ‘tackling injustice and racism’ and that Corbyn is ‘creating an institutionally racist party’:

https://twitter.com/hourlyterrier/status/1039907851064549379

Later that day, her party sank to an all-new low.

Standing with racists

On 12 September, there was a vote in the European Parliament to censure Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian prime minister. Orbán has been accused of promoting antisemitism, Islamophobia, undermining judicial independence, and curtailing press freedom. The censure motion could eventually lead to Hungary losing its right to vote in the Council of the European Union, but it’s a slow process the EU may not have the stomach for.

Read on...

Support us and go ad-free

Despite the unlikelihood of serious consequences for Hungary, the Conservative MEPs weren’t even willing to pretend they cared. A two-thirds majority voted to begin Article 7 – the process of potentially stripping Hungary of voting rights. Conservative MEPs and Nigel Farage voted against it:

The move has drawn criticism in the UK:

The Conservatives have form when it comes to supporting Orbán, though:

Hypocrisy

The Independent wrote that May’s:

spokespeople attempted to distance the prime minister from the move by claiming on Wednesday afternoon that she had not been consulted in advance how her MEPs would vote.

This is on the same day that May tried to insinuate Corbyn was responsible for:

anonymous and threatening letters about the de-selection of Labour MPs

This is the double standard. Corbyn is at fault for anything the Tories don’t like; the PM isn’t even responsible for the actions of her own party.

Brexit and beyond

People have questioned why the Tories would support such an obviously authoritarian leader. The obvious answer seems to be Brexit, and the UK has also been receiving support from Italy’s far-right deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini. Despite this vote, the idea that Hungary will break ranks with the EU on Brexit may be more fantastical thinking on the UK’s part.

This isn’t the only potential answer to why the Tories would support Orbán, though. Maybe they actually just support him.

Whatever the reason, our cosying up with far-right nationalists throws cold water on the idea of a “truly global Britain” after Brexit.

Get Involved!

– Support Jewish Voice for Peace and Jewish Voice for Labour.

– Take grassroots action against fascism.

– Support the Labour Muslim Network.

– Join The Canary, so we can keep holding the powerful to account.

Featured image via Policy Exchange – Flickr / European People’s Party – Flickr

Support us and go ad-free

We know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support

The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.

The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.

So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.

Support us

Comments are closed