Difference between revisions of "Chris Williamson"

From Wikispooks
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Added: powerbase, employment, spouses, alma_mater, birth_date, birth_place, nationality, political_parties.)
m
 
(16 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
 
|wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Williamson_(politician)
 
|wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Williamson_(politician)
 
|powerbase=http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Chris_Williamson
 
|powerbase=http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Chris_Williamson
 +
|twitter=https://twitter.com/DerbyChrisW
 
|spouses=Maggie Amsbury
 
|spouses=Maggie Amsbury
 +
|interests=Integrity Initiative, Institute for Statecraft
 +
|description=A UK MP who in late 2018 helped expose the [[Institute for Statecraft]]. Suspended for "[[antisemitism]]" in February 2019
 
|alma_mater=Leicester Polytechnic
 
|alma_mater=Leicester Polytechnic
 
|birth_date=1956-09-16
 
|birth_date=1956-09-16
 
|birth_place=Derby, England
 
|birth_place=Derby, England
 
|nationality=British
 
|nationality=British
|political_parties=Labour
+
|political_parties=Independent
 
|employment={{job
 
|employment={{job
 
|title=Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
 
|title=Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
 
|start=3 July 2017
 
|start=3 July 2017
|end=
+
|end=11 January 2018
 
}}{{job
 
}}{{job
|title=Member of Parliament for Derby North
+
|title=UK/Member of Parliament for Derby North
 
|start=8 June 2017
 
|start=8 June 2017
|end=
+
|end=5 November 2019
 
}}{{job
 
}}{{job
|title=Member of Parliament for Derby North
+
|title=UK/Member of Parliament for Derby North
 
|start=6 May 2010
 
|start=6 May 2010
 
|end=7 May 2015
 
|end=7 May 2015
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
'''Christopher Williamson''' (born 16 September 1956) is a [[Labour Party]] politician who has been the [[Member of Parliament]] for Derby North since the 8 June 2017 General Election,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/chris-williamson/3976|title=Chris Williamson MP|website=UK Parliament}}</ref> having served previously for the same seat from 2010 until 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/general-election-derby-north-results/story-26461496-detail/story.html|title=Chris Williamson|work=Derby Telegraph}}</ref> He was Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government for three years between October 2010 and October 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/chris-williamson/3976|title=Chris Williamson MP|website=UK Parliament|accessdate=12 June 2017}}</ref>
+
'''Christopher Williamson''' (born 16 September 1956) is a former [[Labour Party]] politician who was the [[Member of Parliament]] for Derby North since the [[UK/2017 General Election|8 June 2017 General Election]],<ref>http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/chris-williamson/3976</ref> having served previously for the same seat from 2010 until 2015.<ref>http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/general-election-derby-north-results/story-26461496-detail/story.html</ref> He was Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services from July 2017 to January 2018.<ref>https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/chris-williamson/3976</ref>
  
Chris Williamson was also previously a local councillor in Derby, representing the Normanton ward from 1991 until his resignation in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Chris-Williamson-MP-stands-city-councillor/story-11630752-detail/story.html|title=DERBY North MP Chris Williamson has resigned from his position as councillor for Normanton after 20 years.|publisher=This is Derbyshire|date=26 March 2011|accessdate=19 October 2012}}</ref> He served as leader of Derby City Council twice.
+
Chris Williamson is a member of [[Labour Against the Witchhunt]] (LAW) which maintains the majority of allegations of [[antisemitism]] against party members are part of a “smear campaign”.<ref>''[https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/labour-against-the-witchhunt-conference-antisemitism-tony-greenstein-jackie-walker-1.479569 "Group that calls Labour antisemitism 'smears' loses conference venue after Jewish activists intervene"]''</ref> On 26 February 2019, Williamson was criticised for booking a room at the [[House of Commons]] for the screening of the documentary ''[[WitchHunt]]'' which investigates the weaponising of [[antisemitism]] to attack [[Jeremy Corbyn]] and the anti-[[zionist]] left.<ref>''[https://twitter.com/tom_watson/status/1100457317227786240 "Tom Watson tweets to Chief Whip and General Secretary"]''</ref>
  
==Early life and career==
+
On 27 February 2019, Williamson was suspended from the [[Labour Party]] for comments about [[antisemitism]] within Labour.<ref name=suspended>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47393626</ref> A petition calling for his reinstatement was started on 28 February 2019.<ref>[https://www.change.org/p/jennie-formby-reinstate-chris-williamson-mp "Reinstate Chris Williamson MP!"]</ref> He resigned from the party on 6 November 2019, tweeting:<ref>''[https://twitter.com/DerbyChrisW/status/1192192053612077065 "Resignation Tweet"]''</ref>
 +
:"After almost 44 years of loyal service and commitment, it's with a heavy heart that I'm resigning from the Labour Party.
 +
 
 +
:"I'll be standing as an independent candidate for Derby North to fight for social justice, internationalism and socialist values."<ref>''[https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/jewish-labour-movement-lambasts-chris-williamsons-racist-resignation-letter/ "Jewish Labour Movement lambasts Chris Williamson’s ‘racist’ resignation letter"]''</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Background==
 
Born in Derby, he attended the St John Fisher Primary School in Alvaston; Castle Donington High School, and St Thomas More High School, Allenton before Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University) where he obtained a Qualifications for Professional Social Work (CQSW) in 1985.
 
Born in Derby, he attended the St John Fisher Primary School in Alvaston; Castle Donington High School, and St Thomas More High School, Allenton before Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University) where he obtained a Qualifications for Professional Social Work (CQSW) in 1985.
  
 +
==Career==
 
He worked as a mechanical engineering apprentice for a year from 1972 onwards, then worked as a bricklayer for six years. He was a social worker in Derby between 1983-1986 before working as a welfare rights officer. He has been a vegan since the 1970s.<ref>Kerry McCarthy MP [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111101/debtext/111101-0004.htm full transcript (column 898)], World Vegan Day, Adjournment Debate, House of Commons, 1 November 2011.</ref>
 
He worked as a mechanical engineering apprentice for a year from 1972 onwards, then worked as a bricklayer for six years. He was a social worker in Derby between 1983-1986 before working as a welfare rights officer. He has been a vegan since the 1970s.<ref>Kerry McCarthy MP [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111101/debtext/111101-0004.htm full transcript (column 898)], World Vegan Day, Adjournment Debate, House of Commons, 1 November 2011.</ref>
  
Williamson joined the [[Labour Party]] in 1976 and became a councillor in 1991, then became Leader of the Labour Group on Derby City Council. And served as Leader of Derby City Council on two separate occasions. He is a member of the [[League Against Cruel Sports]] and is vice chair of the Local Government Anti Poverty Forum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ukpolitics.telegraph.co.uk/Derby+North/Chris+Williamson |title=Chris Williamson – Parliamentary candidates |work=The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=19 October 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306092325/http://ukpolitics.telegraph.co.uk/Derby%2BNorth/Chris%2BWilliamson |archivedate=6 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
+
Williamson joined the [[Labour Party]] in 1976 and became a councillor in 1991, then became Leader of the Labour Group on Derby City Council. And served as Leader of Derby City Council on two separate occasions. He is a member of the [[League Against Cruel Sports]] and is vice chair of the Local Government Anti Poverty Forum.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20120306092325/http://ukpolitics.telegraph.co.uk/Derby%2BNorth/Chris%2BWilliamson</ref>
  
 
==Parliamentary career==
 
==Parliamentary career==
 +
Chris Williamson has asked written questions about the [[Institute for Statecraft]].<ref>https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-12-10/200608/</ref>
 +
 
===First term (2010–15)===
 
===First term (2010–15)===
 
Williamson was the second newly elected MP of the 2010 intake to make his maiden speech in the [[House of Commons]], speaking in response to the Queen's Speech on 25 May 2010.
 
Williamson was the second newly elected MP of the 2010 intake to make his maiden speech in the [[House of Commons]], speaking in response to the Queen's Speech on 25 May 2010.
  
In October 2010, he became Shadow Fire and Emergency Services Minister within the Shadow Communities and Local Government team after serving just four months as an MP but after the reshuffle of the party in 2013; his role as Shadow Minister was replaced by [[Lyn Brown]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.leftfutures.org/2013/10/ed-miliband-shifts-leftwards-at-conference-but-rightwards-in-the-plp/|title=Ed Miliband shifts Leftwards at conference but Rightwards in the PLP|date=2013-10-09|work=Left Futures|access-date=2017-07-10|language=en-GB}}</ref>
+
In October 2010, he became Shadow Fire and Emergency Services Minister within the Shadow Communities and Local Government team after serving just four months as an MP but after the reshuffle of the party in 2013; his role as Shadow Minister was replaced by [[Lyn Brown]].<ref>http://www.leftfutures.org/2013/10/ed-miliband-shifts-leftwards-at-conference-but-rightwards-in-the-plp/</ref>
  
He served as a member of the [[Communities and Local Government Committee]] between July and November 2010 and November 2013 to March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/chris-williamson/3976|title=Chris Williamson MP|website=UK Parliament|language=en|access-date=2017-07-10}}</ref>
+
He was a member of the [[Communities and Local Government Committee]] between July and November 2010 and November 2013 to March 2015.<ref>https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/chris-williamson/3976</ref>
  
He was one of 16 signatories of an open letter to [[Ed Miliband]] in January 2015 calling on the party to commit to oppose further austerity, take rail franchises back into public ownership and strengthen collective bargaining arrangements.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Eaton|first1=George|title=The Labour left demand a change of direction – why their intervention matters|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/01/labour-left-demand-change-direction-why-their-intervention-matters|accessdate=5 April 2015|work=New Statesman|date=26 January 2015}}</ref>
+
He was one of 16 signatories of an open letter to [[Ed Miliband]] in January 2015 calling on the party to commit to oppose further austerity, take rail franchises back into public ownership and strengthen collective bargaining arrangements.<ref>http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/01/labour-left-demand-change-direction-why-their-intervention-matters</ref>
  
 
At the 2015 General Election, Williamson lost the Derby North seat to [[Amanda Solloway]] of the [[Conservative Party]] by 41 votes.
 
At the 2015 General Election, Williamson lost the Derby North seat to [[Amanda Solloway]] of the [[Conservative Party]] by 41 votes.
  
 
===Second term (2017–present)===
 
===Second term (2017–present)===
Chris Williamson, a staunch ally of the Labour Leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]], has been described as the "most pro-Jeremy Corbyn candidate in England’s most marginal constituency".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/june2017/2017/05/life-labour-s-most-pro-jeremy-corbyn-candidate-england-s-most-marginal|title=Life as Labour’s most pro-Jeremy Corbyn candidate in England’s most marginal constituency|website=www.newstatesman.com|accessdate=12 June 2017}}</ref> Corbyn has described Williamson as a "very great friend", saying that his defeat at the 2015 general election was "a shock" and "the worst result of that night".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/corbyn-chris-williamson-losing-derby-north-worst/story-28718402-detail/story.html|title=Corbyn: Chris Williamson losing Derby North was 'the worst result of that night'|date=11 February 2016|publisher=|accessdate=12 June 2017}}</ref> Williamson expressed that his campaign in Derby North would be a "test case for Corbynism".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jeremy-corbyn-must-absolutely-remain-labour-leader-should-he-lose-the-election-says-ally-chris-williamson_uk_59089d43e4b0bb2d0871f129|title=Corbyn Must 'Absolutely' Remain Labour Leader Even If He Loses The Election, Says Ally|date=3 May 2017|publisher=|accessdate=12 June 2017}}</ref> and Corbyn came to campaign for Williamson on 6 May 2017 during the 2017 snap General Election campaign.
+
Chris Williamson, a staunch ally of the Labour Leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]], has been described as the "most pro-Jeremy Corbyn candidate in England’s most marginal constituency".<ref>http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/june2017/2017/05/life-labour-s-most-pro-jeremy-corbyn-candidate-england-s-most-marginal</ref> Corbyn has described Williamson as a "very great friend", saying that his defeat at the 2015 general election was "a shock" and "the worst result of that night".<ref>http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/corbyn-chris-williamson-losing-derby-north-worst/story-28718402-detail/story.html</ref> Williamson expressed that his campaign in Derby North would be a "test case for Corbynism".<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jeremy-corbyn-must-absolutely-remain-labour-leader-should-he-lose-the-election-says-ally-chris-williamson_uk_59089d43e4b0bb2d0871f129</ref> and Corbyn came to campaign for Williamson on 6 May 2017 during the 2017 snap General Election campaign.
  
Williamson regained his former seat from Amanda Solloway with a majority of 2,015 votes. On 3 July 2017, Williamson was appointed as [[Shadow Fire and Emergency Services Minister]] within the [[Shadow Home Office]] team.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newsocialist.org.uk/reshuffle-2-the-ma/|title=Reshuffle 2: The Maintenance of the Malcontents|date=2017-07-08|work=New Socialist.|access-date=2017-07-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://press.labour.org.uk/post/162548382729/jeremy-corbyn-appoints-20-mps-to-labours-front|title=Jeremy Corbyn appoints 20 MPs to Labour’s front bench|website=Labour Press|access-date=2017-07-10}}</ref>
+
Williamson regained his former seat from Amanda Solloway with a majority of 2,015 votes. On 3 July 2017, Williamson was appointed as [[Shadow Fire and Emergency Services Minister]] within the [[Shadow Home Office]] team.<ref>https://newsocialist.org.uk/reshuffle-2-the-ma/</ref><ref>http://press.labour.org.uk/post/162548382729/jeremy-corbyn-appoints-20-mps-to-labours-front</ref>
  
Williamson returned in August 2017 to Corbyn's suggestion, during his first leadership campaign, for women-only train carriages to reduce sexual assaults; reported incidents have doubled since 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schofield|first=Kevin|url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/transport/rail-transport/news/88411/excl-shadow-minister-suggests-women-only-train-carriages|title=EXCL Shadow minister suggests women-only train carriages to cut down on sex assaults|work=Politics Home|date=2 August 2017|accessdate=24 August 2017}}</ref> Labour anti-Corbyn colleagues [[Jess Phillips]] and [[Stella Creasy]] were critical of the idea.<ref>{{cite news|last=Elgot|first=Jessica|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/23/shadow-minister-faces-backlash-over-women-only-train-carriage-idea|title=Shadow minister faces backlash over women-only train carriage idea|work=The Guardian|date=23 August 2017|accessdate=24 August 2017}}</ref> The [[Women's Equality Party]] also criticised his comments.<ref>{{cite web | last = Walker | first = Sophie | author-link = Sophie Walker | title = Women-only train carriages are not the answer | url = http://www.womensequality.org.uk/women-only-carriages | publisher = Women's Equality Party | date = 24 August 2017 | access-date =26 August 2017}}</ref>
+
Williamson returned in August 2017 to Corbyn's suggestion, during his first leadership campaign, for women-only train carriages to reduce sexual assaults; reported incidents have doubled since 2012.<ref>https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/transport/rail-transport/news/88411/excl-shadow-minister-suggests-women-only-train-carriages</ref> Labour anti-Corbyn colleagues [[Jess Phillips]] and [[Stella Creasy]] were critical of the idea.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/23/shadow-minister-faces-backlash-over-women-only-train-carriage-idea</ref> The [[Women's Equality Party]] also criticised his comments.<ref>http://www.womensequality.org.uk/women-only-carriages</ref>
  
In an interview with Rowena Mason of ''[[The Guardian]]'' in late August 2017, Williamson said allegations about the existence of antisemitism within the Labour Party and criticism of Corbyn's approach to the situation in [[Venezuela]] were "proxy wars and bullshit". According to Williamson: “I’m not saying it never ever happens but it is a really dirty, lowdown trick, particularly the [[antisemitism]] smears. Many people in the [[Jewish]] community are appalled by what they see as the weaponisation of antisemitism for political ends".<ref>{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Rowena|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/28/make-labour-leadership-rules-more-democratic-urges-shadow-minister|title=MPs should have no say over who leads Labour, argues shadow minister|work=The Guardian|date=28 August 2017|accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref> Marie van der Zyl, the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]] vice-president said he should "show solidarity with those suffering racism within his own party rather than blaming the victims". Williamson later described antisemitism as being "utterly repugnant and a scourge on society, which is why I stand in absolute solidarity with anyone who is subjected to antisemitic abuse".<ref>{{cite news|last=Harpin|first=Lee|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/labour-mp-chris-williamson-dismisses-jew-hate-allegations-1.443446|title=Anger as 'deplorable' Labour MP dismisses antisemitism allegations as 'smears'|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=29 August 2017|accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref> In a later September <!-- 2017. -->article in ''Tribune'' magazine he wrote that his critics "accusations of anti-Semitism were positively sinister" and "highly offensive and hurtful" in suggesting "that I was an anti-Semite myself, yet I have fought racism all my adult life".<ref>{{cite news|last=Williamson|first=Chris|url=http://archive.is/cKvsV#selection-589.501-589.619|title=Agenda setting|work=Tribune|date=9 September 2017|accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref>
+
In an interview with Rowena Mason of ''[[The Guardian]]'' in late August 2017, Williamson said allegations about the existence of antisemitism within the Labour Party and criticism of Corbyn's approach to the situation in [[Venezuela]] were "proxy wars and bullshit". According to Williamson: “I’m not saying it never ever happens but it is a really dirty, lowdown trick, particularly the [[antisemitism]] smears. Many people in the [[Jewish]] community are appalled by what they see as the weaponisation of antisemitism for political ends".<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/28/make-labour-leadership-rules-more-democratic-urges-shadow-minister</ref> Marie van der Zyl, the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]] vice-president said he should "show solidarity with those suffering racism within his own party rather than blaming the victims". Williamson later described antisemitism as being "utterly repugnant and a scourge on society, which is why I stand in absolute solidarity with anyone who is subjected to antisemitic abuse".<ref>https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/labour-mp-chris-williamson-dismisses-jew-hate-allegations-1.443446</ref> In a later September <!-- 2017. -->article in ''Tribune'' magazine he wrote that his critics "accusations of anti-Semitism were positively sinister" and "highly offensive and hurtful" in suggesting "that I was an anti-Semite myself, yet I have fought racism all my adult life".<ref>http://archive.is/cKvsV#selection-589.501-589.619</ref>
  
 
==Complaint to the BBC==
 
==Complaint to the BBC==
Line 60: Line 71:
  
 
Pooh-poohing Williamson's complaint, Jo Coburn suggested that it was for the [[Labour Party]] – not the media – to publicise such events.<ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjtKxh-geTo&feature=share "Chris Williamson blasts BBC for 'media blackout' of Corbyn Peace Prize"]''</ref>
 
Pooh-poohing Williamson's complaint, Jo Coburn suggested that it was for the [[Labour Party]] – not the media – to publicise such events.<ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjtKxh-geTo&feature=share "Chris Williamson blasts BBC for 'media blackout' of Corbyn Peace Prize"]''</ref>
 +
 +
==Making Venezuela's "economy scream"==
 +
On 4 February 2019, Chris Williamson tweeted:
 +
:"The US-based [[Council on Foreign Relations]] says [[US]] sanctions against [[Venezuela]] 'will cripple the economy…[and] make the economy scream'. Astonishingly, some British MPs are actually supporting this! They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves."<ref>''[https://twitter.com/DerbyChrisW/status/1092569721319362561 "Making Venezuela's 'economy scream']''</ref>
 +
 +
Having criticised [[Theresa May]]'s government's decision to recognise [[Juan Guaidó]] as "a democratic outrage", Williamson was interviewed the same day by [[Jon Snow]] on ''[[Channel 4 News]]''.<ref>''[https://www.channel4.com/news/labour-mp-chris-williamson-governments-decision-to-recognise-juan-guaido-is-a-democratic-outrage “Government’s decision to recognise Juan Guaidó is a democratic outrage”]''</ref> Snow spent the interview disregarding any progressive credentials he may have had, speaking strongly in support of the [[Donald Trump|Trump]]-led regime-change efforts in Venezuela, saying:
 +
:"Your case is supported by [[Russia]], [[China]] – you would hardly want to go to the wire on trying to defend them on human rights or anything else… You and [[Jeremy Corbyn|Mr Corbyn]] are in a very nasty corner now."
 +
But Williamson called him out on it, insisting:
 +
:"The media, including Channel 4… has been a bit one-eyed in its reportage of what’s happened in Venezuela. I’ve seen footage of government supporters who have been beaten to death, set on fire, been decapitated. And these things need to be called out as well. And this has been supported tacitly by the [[United States]], who are financing this kind of abuse."
 +
Along with other EU countries, Britain’s Conservative-led government joined the [[US]] and [[Canada]] and recognised [[Juan Guaidó]] as Venezuela’s president on 4 February. Foreign secretary [[Jeremy Hunt]] cited a lack of “credible presidential elections” to justify the move. But on Channel 4, Williamson also challenged the false claim that Venezuelan elections were not legitimate:
 +
:"The government’s decision to recognise [[Juan Guaido]] is a democratic outrage. The truth is he’s never been elected as president of the National Assembly… The four groups who are actually in control in the National Assembly take it in turns… He didn’t stand against [[President Maduro]] in last year’s election. And contrary to your previous contributor, who alleged that the elections were rigged, I’ve spoken to election observers on the ground and there were observers from 86 countries who say that that simply isn’t true."
 +
 +
With a low turnout of just under half the eligible voters, Maduro won 68% of the vote in May 2018. The closest runner-up was Henri Falcón with 21%. Other right-wing opposition leaders such as Guaidó boycotted the election (even though they could have won if they’d united). Instead, they apparently opted to try and force the collapse of Maduro’s government through a combination of US sanctions, protests, and propaganda.
 +
 +
Williamson also gave his view on the way forward, saying:
 +
:"The [[United Kingdom]], rather than behaving like [[Donald Trump]]’s poodle, should be calling on him to withdraw the sanctions and to use their good offices to bring the different factions around the table and reach an amicable solution."<ref>''[https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2019/02/05/watch-chris-williamson-embarrass-jon-snow-for-making-a-nasty-error-live-on-channel-4/ "Watch Chris Williamson embarrass Jon Snow for making a nasty error, live on Channel 4"]''</ref>
 +
 +
==Suspension==
 +
In the evening of 27 February 2019, [[Labour Party|Labour]] suspended Chris Williamson pending an investigation after he had said that the party had been “too apologetic” over claims of [[anti-semitism]].
 +
 +
At lunchtime, a Labour spokesman said the Derby North MP had become the subject to an investigation because of “a pattern of behaviour” but had not been suspended.
 +
 +
Mr Williamson offered an apology but hours later the leftwinger was suspended following pressure from Labour figures such as deputy leader [[Tom Watson]] and former leader [[Ed Miliband]].
 +
 +
A Labour spokesperson claimed Mr Williamson had made comments that were “deeply offensive and inappropriate” and of “downplaying the problem of anti-semitism.”
 +
 +
The row blew up after video footage emerged of the MP addressing a [[Momentum]] meeting in Sheffield in the wake of last week’s resignation of eight Labour MPs to join [[The Independent Group]].
 +
 +
It shows him receiving an applause as he said that the party had “given too much ground” to its critics who had “demonised it as a racist, bigoted party.”
 +
 +
Condemning the suspension, [[Jewish Voice for Labour]] representative [[Mike Cushman]] said:
 +
:“This is madness, he’s suspended for saying the party is doing much to combat anti-semitism and should stop apologising, and it’s the parties that have done nothing that have something to answer for.”
 +
 +
Mr Williamson said in his apology:
 +
:“I reject [[racism]] ethically and morally. It has no place in the [[Labour Party]] or in our country. It pains me greatly, therefore, that anyone should believe that it is my intention to minimise the cancerous and pernicious nature of [[anti-semitism]]. I deeply regret, and apologise for, my recent choice of words when speaking about how the [[Labour Party]] has responded to the ongoing fight against [[anti-semitism]] inside of our party. I was trying to stress how much the party has done to tackle anti-semitism.”
 +
 +
''Morning Star'' editor [[Ben Chacko]] denounced the suspension:
 +
:“The left needs to understand that unless we hang together we will hang separately. Chris Williamson is an outstanding Labour MP. The party and movement will be the poorer if MPs who couldn’t care less whether their party is elected succeed in turfing him out.”
 +
 +
Since the footage came to light, a screening of a documentary film called "[[WitchHunt]]", which makers say explores the background to accusations of [[anti-semitism]] in [[Labour Party]], has been cancelled. The film by [[Jon Pullman]], whicht has been praised by leading [[Jewish]] film-makers [[Mike Leigh]] and [[Peter Kosminsky]], was due to be screened in the [[House of Commons]] on Monday 4 March 2019 with Mr Williamson’s assistance.<ref>''[https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/labour-suspension-of-chris-williamson-branded-madness "Labour suspension of Chris Williamson branded ‘madness’"]''</ref>
 +
 +
===Re-suspension===
 +
On 10 October 2019, Chris Williamson won his legal case against re-suspension by the [[Labour Party]]. Williamson’s reinstatement was undone after uproar from critics of the party, but a court has ruled that the action was unlawful. Yet Williamson remains suspended. The MP said:
 +
:The High Court has today judged that the [[Labour Party]] acted unlawfully in re-suspending me on 28 June, and “that there was no proper reason” for doing so. I’m glad the ‘re-suspension’ has been quashed. However, I’m currently suspended.
 +
 +
:It’s clear that my ‘re-suspension’ was motivated by media hysteria. The judge said:
 +
::“it is not … difficult to infer that the true reason for the decision in this case was that [NEC] members … were influenced by the ferocity of the outcry following the June decision.”
 +
 +
:In fact, the party’s decision was so unfair as to be unlawful. And that’s why my ‘re-suspension’ has been quashed, and all of the allegations presented in that suspension can no longer be pursued against me.
 +
 +
:Yet a week prior to my court hearing – using every loophole in the book – the party bureaucracy issued me with a new suspension based on a series of preposterous allegations that I answered fully and swiftly.
 +
 +
:Due to this, despite winning today, the latest suspension stands.<ref>''[https://skwawkbox.org/2019/10/10/chris-williamson-wins-legal-case-against-suspension/ "Chris Williamson wins legal case against suspension"]''</ref>
 +
 +
==EHRC's failure==
 +
The [[EHRC]] spectacularly failed in their attempt to brand Chris Williamson as an [[anti-Semite]]. But his success is bittersweet because of [[Keir Starmer]]’s disgusting treatment of [[Jeremy Corbyn]].
 +
 +
Here's Chris Williamson's response to the [[EHRC]] report and to [[Jeremy Corbyn]]'s suspension<ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9som8HToyZ8 "Response to the EHRC and Jeremy's Suspension"]''</ref>
 +
{{YouTubeVideo
 +
|code=9som8HToyZ8
 +
|align=right
 +
|width=300px
 +
|caption=Response to the [[EHRC]] report and to [[Jeremy Corbyn|Corbyn]]'s suspension by [[Keir Starmer|Starmer]]
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Article 99 of the UN Charter==
 +
On 6 December 2023, Chris Williamson posted on ''[[X]]'':{{QB|
 +
:BREAKING
 +
:[[UN Secretary-General]] has invoked [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/7/un-secretary-general-invokes-article-99-on-gaza Article 99 of the UN Charter] to secure a ceasefire to stop the #Gaza_Genocide being perpetrated by [[Israel]].
 +
 +
:Will the [[UK]] use its veto again at the [[UNSC]] to enable [[Israel]] to carry on killing [[Palestinian]] children?
 +
 +
:'''FreePalestine'''<ref>''[https://twitter.com/DerbyChrisW/status/1732445234397610486 "Will the UK use its veto again at the UNSC to enable Israel to carry on killing Palestinian children?"]''</ref>}}
 +
 
{{SMWDocs}}
 
{{SMWDocs}}
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{reflist|30em}}
 
{{reflist|30em}}

Latest revision as of 21:25, 7 December 2023

Person.png Chris Williamson   Powerbase TwitterRdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
Chris Williamson.jpg
Born1956-09-16
Derby, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materLeicester Polytechnic
SpouseMaggie Amsbury
Member ofWorkers Party of Britain
Interests • Integrity Initiative
• Institute for Statecraft
PartyIndependent
A UK MP who in late 2018 helped expose the Institute for Statecraft. Suspended for "antisemitism" in February 2019

Employment.png UK/Member of Parliament for Derby North

In office
8 June 2017 - 5 November 2019

Christopher Williamson (born 16 September 1956) is a former Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Derby North since the 8 June 2017 General Election,[1] having served previously for the same seat from 2010 until 2015.[2] He was Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services from July 2017 to January 2018.[3]

Chris Williamson is a member of Labour Against the Witchhunt (LAW) which maintains the majority of allegations of antisemitism against party members are part of a “smear campaign”.[4] On 26 February 2019, Williamson was criticised for booking a room at the House of Commons for the screening of the documentary WitchHunt which investigates the weaponising of antisemitism to attack Jeremy Corbyn and the anti-zionist left.[5]

On 27 February 2019, Williamson was suspended from the Labour Party for comments about antisemitism within Labour.[6] A petition calling for his reinstatement was started on 28 February 2019.[7] He resigned from the party on 6 November 2019, tweeting:[8]

"After almost 44 years of loyal service and commitment, it's with a heavy heart that I'm resigning from the Labour Party.
"I'll be standing as an independent candidate for Derby North to fight for social justice, internationalism and socialist values."[9]

Background

Born in Derby, he attended the St John Fisher Primary School in Alvaston; Castle Donington High School, and St Thomas More High School, Allenton before Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University) where he obtained a Qualifications for Professional Social Work (CQSW) in 1985.

Career

He worked as a mechanical engineering apprentice for a year from 1972 onwards, then worked as a bricklayer for six years. He was a social worker in Derby between 1983-1986 before working as a welfare rights officer. He has been a vegan since the 1970s.[10]

Williamson joined the Labour Party in 1976 and became a councillor in 1991, then became Leader of the Labour Group on Derby City Council. And served as Leader of Derby City Council on two separate occasions. He is a member of the League Against Cruel Sports and is vice chair of the Local Government Anti Poverty Forum.[11]

Parliamentary career

Chris Williamson has asked written questions about the Institute for Statecraft.[12]

First term (2010–15)

Williamson was the second newly elected MP of the 2010 intake to make his maiden speech in the House of Commons, speaking in response to the Queen's Speech on 25 May 2010.

In October 2010, he became Shadow Fire and Emergency Services Minister within the Shadow Communities and Local Government team after serving just four months as an MP but after the reshuffle of the party in 2013; his role as Shadow Minister was replaced by Lyn Brown.[13]

He was a member of the Communities and Local Government Committee between July and November 2010 and November 2013 to March 2015.[14]

He was one of 16 signatories of an open letter to Ed Miliband in January 2015 calling on the party to commit to oppose further austerity, take rail franchises back into public ownership and strengthen collective bargaining arrangements.[15]

At the 2015 General Election, Williamson lost the Derby North seat to Amanda Solloway of the Conservative Party by 41 votes.

Second term (2017–present)

Chris Williamson, a staunch ally of the Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, has been described as the "most pro-Jeremy Corbyn candidate in England’s most marginal constituency".[16] Corbyn has described Williamson as a "very great friend", saying that his defeat at the 2015 general election was "a shock" and "the worst result of that night".[17] Williamson expressed that his campaign in Derby North would be a "test case for Corbynism".[18] and Corbyn came to campaign for Williamson on 6 May 2017 during the 2017 snap General Election campaign.

Williamson regained his former seat from Amanda Solloway with a majority of 2,015 votes. On 3 July 2017, Williamson was appointed as Shadow Fire and Emergency Services Minister within the Shadow Home Office team.[19][20]

Williamson returned in August 2017 to Corbyn's suggestion, during his first leadership campaign, for women-only train carriages to reduce sexual assaults; reported incidents have doubled since 2012.[21] Labour anti-Corbyn colleagues Jess Phillips and Stella Creasy were critical of the idea.[22] The Women's Equality Party also criticised his comments.[23]

In an interview with Rowena Mason of The Guardian in late August 2017, Williamson said allegations about the existence of antisemitism within the Labour Party and criticism of Corbyn's approach to the situation in Venezuela were "proxy wars and bullshit". According to Williamson: “I’m not saying it never ever happens but it is a really dirty, lowdown trick, particularly the antisemitism smears. Many people in the Jewish community are appalled by what they see as the weaponisation of antisemitism for political ends".[24] Marie van der Zyl, the Board of Deputies of British Jews vice-president said he should "show solidarity with those suffering racism within his own party rather than blaming the victims". Williamson later described antisemitism as being "utterly repugnant and a scourge on society, which is why I stand in absolute solidarity with anyone who is subjected to antisemitic abuse".[25] In a later September article in Tribune magazine he wrote that his critics "accusations of anti-Semitism were positively sinister" and "highly offensive and hurtful" in suggesting "that I was an anti-Semite myself, yet I have fought racism all my adult life".[26]

Complaint to the BBC

On 14 December 2014, Shadow Fire and Emergency Services Minister, Chris Williamson, complained of a "media blackout" when he spoke to BBC Daily Politics presenter Jo Coburn, and former Labour MP Gisela Stuart, about the lack of coverage of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn winning the MacBride Peace Prize.

Pooh-poohing Williamson's complaint, Jo Coburn suggested that it was for the Labour Party – not the media – to publicise such events.[27]

Making Venezuela's "economy scream"

On 4 February 2019, Chris Williamson tweeted:

"The US-based Council on Foreign Relations says US sanctions against Venezuela 'will cripple the economy…[and] make the economy scream'. Astonishingly, some British MPs are actually supporting this! They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves."[28]

Having criticised Theresa May's government's decision to recognise Juan Guaidó as "a democratic outrage", Williamson was interviewed the same day by Jon Snow on Channel 4 News.[29] Snow spent the interview disregarding any progressive credentials he may have had, speaking strongly in support of the Trump-led regime-change efforts in Venezuela, saying:

"Your case is supported by Russia, China – you would hardly want to go to the wire on trying to defend them on human rights or anything else… You and Mr Corbyn are in a very nasty corner now."

But Williamson called him out on it, insisting:

"The media, including Channel 4… has been a bit one-eyed in its reportage of what’s happened in Venezuela. I’ve seen footage of government supporters who have been beaten to death, set on fire, been decapitated. And these things need to be called out as well. And this has been supported tacitly by the United States, who are financing this kind of abuse."

Along with other EU countries, Britain’s Conservative-led government joined the US and Canada and recognised Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s president on 4 February. Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt cited a lack of “credible presidential elections” to justify the move. But on Channel 4, Williamson also challenged the false claim that Venezuelan elections were not legitimate:

"The government’s decision to recognise Juan Guaido is a democratic outrage. The truth is he’s never been elected as president of the National Assembly… The four groups who are actually in control in the National Assembly take it in turns… He didn’t stand against President Maduro in last year’s election. And contrary to your previous contributor, who alleged that the elections were rigged, I’ve spoken to election observers on the ground and there were observers from 86 countries who say that that simply isn’t true."

With a low turnout of just under half the eligible voters, Maduro won 68% of the vote in May 2018. The closest runner-up was Henri Falcón with 21%. Other right-wing opposition leaders such as Guaidó boycotted the election (even though they could have won if they’d united). Instead, they apparently opted to try and force the collapse of Maduro’s government through a combination of US sanctions, protests, and propaganda.

Williamson also gave his view on the way forward, saying:

"The United Kingdom, rather than behaving like Donald Trump’s poodle, should be calling on him to withdraw the sanctions and to use their good offices to bring the different factions around the table and reach an amicable solution."[30]

Suspension

In the evening of 27 February 2019, Labour suspended Chris Williamson pending an investigation after he had said that the party had been “too apologetic” over claims of anti-semitism.

At lunchtime, a Labour spokesman said the Derby North MP had become the subject to an investigation because of “a pattern of behaviour” but had not been suspended.

Mr Williamson offered an apology but hours later the leftwinger was suspended following pressure from Labour figures such as deputy leader Tom Watson and former leader Ed Miliband.

A Labour spokesperson claimed Mr Williamson had made comments that were “deeply offensive and inappropriate” and of “downplaying the problem of anti-semitism.”

The row blew up after video footage emerged of the MP addressing a Momentum meeting in Sheffield in the wake of last week’s resignation of eight Labour MPs to join The Independent Group.

It shows him receiving an applause as he said that the party had “given too much ground” to its critics who had “demonised it as a racist, bigoted party.”

Condemning the suspension, Jewish Voice for Labour representative Mike Cushman said:

“This is madness, he’s suspended for saying the party is doing much to combat anti-semitism and should stop apologising, and it’s the parties that have done nothing that have something to answer for.”

Mr Williamson said in his apology:

“I reject racism ethically and morally. It has no place in the Labour Party or in our country. It pains me greatly, therefore, that anyone should believe that it is my intention to minimise the cancerous and pernicious nature of anti-semitism. I deeply regret, and apologise for, my recent choice of words when speaking about how the Labour Party has responded to the ongoing fight against anti-semitism inside of our party. I was trying to stress how much the party has done to tackle anti-semitism.”

Morning Star editor Ben Chacko denounced the suspension:

“The left needs to understand that unless we hang together we will hang separately. Chris Williamson is an outstanding Labour MP. The party and movement will be the poorer if MPs who couldn’t care less whether their party is elected succeed in turfing him out.”

Since the footage came to light, a screening of a documentary film called "WitchHunt", which makers say explores the background to accusations of anti-semitism in Labour Party, has been cancelled. The film by Jon Pullman, whicht has been praised by leading Jewish film-makers Mike Leigh and Peter Kosminsky, was due to be screened in the House of Commons on Monday 4 March 2019 with Mr Williamson’s assistance.[31]

Re-suspension

On 10 October 2019, Chris Williamson won his legal case against re-suspension by the Labour Party. Williamson’s reinstatement was undone after uproar from critics of the party, but a court has ruled that the action was unlawful. Yet Williamson remains suspended. The MP said:

The High Court has today judged that the Labour Party acted unlawfully in re-suspending me on 28 June, and “that there was no proper reason” for doing so. I’m glad the ‘re-suspension’ has been quashed. However, I’m currently suspended.
It’s clear that my ‘re-suspension’ was motivated by media hysteria. The judge said:
“it is not … difficult to infer that the true reason for the decision in this case was that [NEC] members … were influenced by the ferocity of the outcry following the June decision.”
In fact, the party’s decision was so unfair as to be unlawful. And that’s why my ‘re-suspension’ has been quashed, and all of the allegations presented in that suspension can no longer be pursued against me.
Yet a week prior to my court hearing – using every loophole in the book – the party bureaucracy issued me with a new suspension based on a series of preposterous allegations that I answered fully and swiftly.
Due to this, despite winning today, the latest suspension stands.[32]

EHRC's failure

The EHRC spectacularly failed in their attempt to brand Chris Williamson as an anti-Semite. But his success is bittersweet because of Keir Starmer’s disgusting treatment of Jeremy Corbyn.

Here's Chris Williamson's response to the EHRC report and to Jeremy Corbyn's suspension[33]

Response to the EHRC report and to Corbyn's suspension by Starmer

Article 99 of the UN Charter

On 6 December 2023, Chris Williamson posted on X:

BREAKING
UN Secretary-General has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter to secure a ceasefire to stop the #Gaza_Genocide being perpetrated by Israel.
Will the UK use its veto again at the UNSC to enable Israel to carry on killing Palestinian children?
FreePalestine[34]


 

Event Participated in

EventStartEndLocation(s)Description
International Festival of Whistleblowing Dissent and Accountability8 May 20218 May 2021InternetWhistleblowing event held in 2021.

 

Related Documents

TitleTypePublication dateAuthor(s)Description
Document:Labour expulsion hearing set for anti-Zionist Jackie WalkerArticle5 February 2019Asa WinstanleyWitchHunt documentary: “We are determined to get it out whatever the threats,” Jackie Walker vows
Document:The plot to keep Corbyn out of powerblog post3 July 2019Jonathan CookThe weaponisation of anti-semitism against Corbyn has become so normal that, even while I was writing this post, a new nadir was reached. Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary who hopes to defeat Boris Johnson in the upcoming Tory leadership race, as good as accused Corbyn of being a new Hitler, a man who as prime minister might allow Jews to be exterminated, just as occurred in the Nazi death camps.
Document:The witchfinders are now ready to burn CorbynBlog post28 February 2019Jonathan CookJeremy Corbyn’s allies are being picked off one by one, from grassroots activists like Jackie Walker and Marc Wadsworth to higher-placed supporters like Chris Williamson and Seumas Milne. Soon Corbyn will stand alone, exposed before the inquisition that has been prepared for him.
Document:We condemn the suspension of Jo Bird and the appointment of Lord FalconerArticle4 March 2019AdminAs Ken Loach said: “If it looks like a witch hunt and behaves like a witch hunt – it may well be just that. This is intolerable and must end now.”
Many thanks to our Patrons who cover ~2/3 of our hosting bill. Please join them if you can.


References

  1. http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/chris-williamson/3976
  2. http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/general-election-derby-north-results/story-26461496-detail/story.html
  3. https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/chris-williamson/3976
  4. "Group that calls Labour antisemitism 'smears' loses conference venue after Jewish activists intervene"
  5. "Tom Watson tweets to Chief Whip and General Secretary"
  6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47393626
  7. "Reinstate Chris Williamson MP!"
  8. "Resignation Tweet"
  9. "Jewish Labour Movement lambasts Chris Williamson’s ‘racist’ resignation letter"
  10. Kerry McCarthy MP full transcript (column 898), World Vegan Day, Adjournment Debate, House of Commons, 1 November 2011.
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/20120306092325/http://ukpolitics.telegraph.co.uk/Derby%2BNorth/Chris%2BWilliamson
  12. https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-12-10/200608/
  13. http://www.leftfutures.org/2013/10/ed-miliband-shifts-leftwards-at-conference-but-rightwards-in-the-plp/
  14. https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/chris-williamson/3976
  15. http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/01/labour-left-demand-change-direction-why-their-intervention-matters
  16. http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/june2017/2017/05/life-labour-s-most-pro-jeremy-corbyn-candidate-england-s-most-marginal
  17. http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/corbyn-chris-williamson-losing-derby-north-worst/story-28718402-detail/story.html
  18. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jeremy-corbyn-must-absolutely-remain-labour-leader-should-he-lose-the-election-says-ally-chris-williamson_uk_59089d43e4b0bb2d0871f129
  19. https://newsocialist.org.uk/reshuffle-2-the-ma/
  20. http://press.labour.org.uk/post/162548382729/jeremy-corbyn-appoints-20-mps-to-labours-front
  21. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/transport/rail-transport/news/88411/excl-shadow-minister-suggests-women-only-train-carriages
  22. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/23/shadow-minister-faces-backlash-over-women-only-train-carriage-idea
  23. http://www.womensequality.org.uk/women-only-carriages
  24. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/28/make-labour-leadership-rules-more-democratic-urges-shadow-minister
  25. https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/labour-mp-chris-williamson-dismisses-jew-hate-allegations-1.443446
  26. http://archive.is/cKvsV#selection-589.501-589.619
  27. "Chris Williamson blasts BBC for 'media blackout' of Corbyn Peace Prize"
  28. "Making Venezuela's 'economy scream'
  29. “Government’s decision to recognise Juan Guaidó is a democratic outrage”
  30. "Watch Chris Williamson embarrass Jon Snow for making a nasty error, live on Channel 4"
  31. "Labour suspension of Chris Williamson branded ‘madness’"
  32. "Chris Williamson wins legal case against suspension"
  33. "Response to the EHRC and Jeremy's Suspension"
  34. "Will the UK use its veto again at the UNSC to enable Israel to carry on killing Palestinian children?"