The Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council has urged pension fund bosses to say whether any of their investments are linked to “atrocities taking place in Palestine”.
Bella Sankey has written to Conservative councillor Gerard Fox who chairs the East Sussex Pension Fund Committee to demand clarity on the fund’s investments.
Councillor Sankey said “As a council, we have consistently raised our concerns about the moral abomination taking place in Palestine.
“It is notable that the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians.
“Given that, it is vitally important that the East Sussex Pension Fund clarifies whether it has any investments implicated in this disaster.
“Brighton and Hove City Council’s pension investments are managed as part of the East Sussex Pension Fund.
“While the council has representation on the East Sussex Pensions Board, it does not have decision-making authority over the fund’s investment strategy. That responsibility lies with the East Sussex Pensions Committee.”
The letter said: “In July 2022, the East Sussex Pension Fund released a statement in relation to the funds position on Israel and the Occupied Territories (East Sussex Pension Fund Statement on Israel and the Occupied Territories).
“(It) detailed that an assessment was undertaken of the fund’s exposure to companies flagged by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR).
“This included liaising with investment managers who had an exposure to companies within the report to understand the risk to the fund.
“Given that this statement was now made more than three years ago, I would appreciate an update of the fund’s current position.
“The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
“Given the continued atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza, I would specifically ask does the pension fund currently have any exposure to any companies on the OHCHR list?
“If so, could you provide a list of the exposures including the value and/or proportion of holdings within the fund?
“What is the exit strategy of any exposure to these companies?”
Tokenism after the by election loss week?? Timing of this at a point when the tone deaf Labour government is crumbling is interesting, perhaps rather than cosying up to Keir and co, Lab councillors have finally twigged that they have lost the trust and support of residents.
I support the need to divest pension funds, but it is frustrating there has been so much resistance to really pushing East Sussex on it from Labour councillors for years.
Maybe prompted by the by-election. If it is a wake-up call to do better, I’d argue that it is a good thing, right?
It would appear Ms Sankey displays more duty of care to the residents of Palestine, than the residents of Brighton and Hove. Hands up who think it’s wise to allow her to start messing with anyone’s pension, unsolicited. How would she be qualified or have a legal right to do so?
Absolutely. Is this the only area of investment that dissatifies her or the only one she knows about?
It’s the right thing to do for obvious reasons. Any thought other wise would support and be very much part of a genocide.
Bella Sankey is a total disgrace. She has completely ignored the atrocities of 7th October and , like Starmer, is now intent on rewarding these terrorists. She is having all the proud British flags pulled down in case they upset people. Which people?? English people living in England??? Not a whisper from her about the pro Palestinian marches proudly waving Palestinian flags and cowardly hiding behind masks. Not a murmur representing British people terrified by these scenes in their country. Now she wants to financially help them too. Bella if you love Palestine so much please move there!!
No, Jill, those particular flags were breaking the law.
But Keir Starmer loves to fly them is he breaking the law too. Since he became Labour leader, Starmer has rarely been seen without a Union or England flag. “I always sit in front of the Union Jack,” he told the BBC a few weeks back. ‘I’ve been doing it for years.’ He even claimed to hang a Cross of Saint George in the Downing Street flat. (Yvette Cooper, not to be outdone, has insisted her house is permanently festooned in patriotic bunting.)”
Bella Sankey as head of the council has ordered the removal of all the union jacks proudly adorning our streets and roads so can she explain why?? Her beloved leader loves the flag!! Since he became Labour leader, Starmer has rarely been seen without a Union or England flag. “I always sit in front of the Union Jack,” he told the BBC a few weeks back. ‘I’ve been doing it for years.’ He even claimed to hang a Cross of Saint George in the Downing Street flat. (Yvette Cooper, not to be outdone, has insisted her house is permanently festooned in patriotic bunting.” Hence would Ms Sankey please replace all the flags she has personally claimed are upsetting, (who), so she claims, and permit the residents of Brighton & Hove to proudly follow the prime minister.
here here
As the pension firm is managing BHCC pension fund, I think she has a duty of care to seek assurances that their fund is not investing in any activities that support genocide.
Making it a press opportunity is a different matter- virtual signalling is unnecessary and will sadly back fire.
I think that’s fair. Many people would see ethical investment as important, especially around the conflict, so I agree it’s right to raise it. On the point about virtue signalling, I think it can sometimes feel that way, but in my experience, it’s also necessary to share positive actions publicly. If you don’t, the good work risks going unnoticed, and it becomes harder to build the wider support needed to keep doing more. Or at worst, you get bad faith actors come in a criticise disingenuously that more hasn’t been done. Still might happen, as we can see with Cllr. Lyons below, but when those comments are made, it’s clearly shown up as the low-quality nonsense.
Well done good lady. Labour are behind supporting countries in need. We can all afford a little to Palestine and supporting the poor immigrants escapint dangerous countries. Hopefully we support re homing them in Brighton and hove too. They deserve a good home. Well done Labour this is why we voted for you!
Best laugh I’ve had all week reading your post.
I think it is good that investments are not being used towards evil, however it is manifested.
I guess she could stop using Google, Facebook and Amazon also but she probably won’t…
Her Prime Membership likely doesn’t even compare to a massive pension pot, does it?
Well done Labour. We can all spare a little money for those less fortunate than us. Great idea to support Palestine. Money from pensions should go to Ukraine too
Truly appalling behaviour from the councillor virtue signalling to the left. She has 0 input as to where the pension fund invests & as there are no direct Israel collective funds cannot stipulate to a fund manager as to where to invest.
I don’t think you’re particularly in a position to comment on behaviours, Ivan. Plus, if you read, rather than relying on ChatGPT prompting you to ask a stupid question about the definition of “glide”, or mixing up LGR and Devolution, you’d realise that asking a question is not the same as directing.
By constantly making these types of statements, Ms Sankey sends a clear message to us all that she is utterly disinterested in local politics and sees this merely a stepping stone to becoming an MP. I wish her well in achieving her goal which will likely involve spending years on the back benches of the opposition… Or maybe she’ll join forces with Angela and come storming into power?
I’m not sure which is more working class; being an Oxbridge lawyer or having an £800k flat as a third property in Hove?
Brilliant. So amazing having Labour finally in power making the right decisions like this. We should support other counties less fortunate than us !! 🙂
no we shouldn`t we need to look out and support this country
Also money to Ukraine as well please!
Perhaps she should first enquire if the pension fund currently has any exposure to any Irish companies on the OHCHR list.