The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion has spoken of her regret over a motion that said “Zionism is racism” and which was passed at the party conference in Brighton last weekend.
Siân Berry urged members to stick with the party after the row about the motion and the by-election defeat for Green leader Zack Polanski in Holborn and St Pancras.
Labour held the seat in the contest after the former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer resigned from the House of Commons.
Ms Berry said today (Friday 9 October): “This morning, in what I know is a very initial and uncomprehensive way, I want to offer some of my personal reflections and thoughts on what we do now, in the wake of both conference, last night’s by-election, and following the many powerful and heartfelt messages I have received from residents, constituents and party members in recent days.
“I am full of regret for so much that has happened, and very sad Zack is not joining me in Parliament next week. Sincere congratulations to Sagal (Abdi-Wali) on winning her seat too.
“On the motion, I voted and argued against it because I felt it needed serious amendment, and if not then sending back for more dialogue or voting down.
“But the clash of conference with an exciting and mobilising by-election campaign meant many of us were persuaded not to campaign publicly for these ends, while proposers were very organised and remained intent upon no changes at all.
“I want to take my full share of personal responsibility for the result of all this in the votes at conference.
“I should have worked harder to persuade more of our leading figures to speak up in a unified way to say that the motion as written was clearly not reflective of our values and policy principles.
“Both in the words of the motion and in how they have been heard in the country, I can hear genuine worry about what it means for our communities, and can see genuine damage being done to our strong reputation as a leading, principled and inclusive voice for human rights in Palestine and against the atrocities of the Israeli state.
“I regret this hugely, and apologise to members and constituents for where we are now as a party, which I know is causing real concern.
“To Green Party members – especially those for whom thoughts of leaving must have crossed their minds in recent days – I say please stay and let us fix this together
“I am very glad that Zack has now said that he would have voted against the motion as it stood, and that he has agreed we have work now to do.
“We are not at all where we want to be today but I know we can build from this starting point if we work together in a new spirit.”
Polanski’s position is now untenable as is his continuing membership. I deplore what Israel continues to do in Gaza and the West Bank but such a motion is reminiscent of the Israeli government not a supposedly liberal democratic party in this country.
I am told one of the proposers of the motion at the conference is a Green Party councillor for Queens Park Ward. Is that so?
No it isn’t so.
Both Queen’s Park councillors voted against this motion
The Greens are suffering from Entryism. A slow takeover of real greens by extreme left wingers will now commence.
The next leader will reveal all I suspect
It would be useful to hear from the Council green group who normally love talking about national issues to avoid their vacuousness on local ideas. They have spent months attacking other parties on national issues but now appear to be hiding behind their MP.
Have they a voice, where is the condemnation from their leader Steve Davis and wannabe leader Lloyd Moyle. The political chameleon.
Oh wow she ‘regrets’ the vote.
Only Regrets it. No burning anger? Rage? No fighting to get it reversed?
No. Just regret. The equivalent to the non apology apology.
As for this
“I am very glad that Zack has now said that he would have voted against the motion as it stood, and that he has agreed we have work now to do.”
Bit late now. Should have said in on Sunday as soon as the result was known.
But he should have been in the hall speaking and voting against the motion and making his position clear – that’s what leaders do.
But he went to Camden knowing full well this vote would take place. Was he avoiding it?
That’s a failure of leadership.
A bit late to go looking for sticking plasters for Zack Blunderman, Ms Berry.
Why on earth is any party involving itself in religious division? People want to know what the Greens are actually going to DO for this country. They have no jurisdiction over other countries, cultures and wars so should stay in their lane.
When progressive politics become regressive. To quote Ms Berry last year when the same venue that held the vote was vandalised: “Events that inflame division and create tension should be guarded against and Brighton and Hove Council needs better policies for which events it will host in our council-owned venues,” adding that “the choice of Brighton was clearly provocative from organisers and the problems caused predictable”.
Perhaps some self reflection is now needed on how her own party’s events and policies inflame division. As long as she’s remains a Green MP, she’ll be a perpetrator of their policies.
Bit late for regrets now. The greens are a big a joke as reform… and leave Marilyn Manson alone
Sian says that she voted against the Zionism is Racism motion because it needed amendment – err, not because the very motion is explicitly racist in itself?
Two weeks ago you posted on FB: “in Parliament, I raised the importance of solidarity. There are ways to build community without creating further dividing lines, and we must all play our part”, like this article, is self-serving hypocrisy. You proudly marched with ProPals past the Palmeira memorial, where your actual citizens you should be serving were mourning a family member’s murder at the hands of Hamas/Gazans.
How is your behaviour helping to build the community you were actually elected in?
“Sian Berry, the Green MP for the Brighton Pavilion constituency, has joined pro-Palestinian marches, including the contentious protests which set off from Palmeira Square. “She’s never expressed any interest in us or shown any condolences or sympathies — and she’s my MP,” Hove resident, Heidi Bachram has previously said in The Times Of Israel.”
You are also one of twelve UK MPs who are barred from entering Israel. That tells you everything.
You voted against proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
Even newspaper articles where you try to show how you support local synagogues you just have to slip in the word ‘progressive’ before you can say the word ‘synagogue’ – would you have a problem supporting or delivering a speech in an orthodox synagogue?
Bang on
Sian Berry is full of shit.
Josephine ‘how can you build community with out further division’ that’s what we have all been waiting for.
Questions about our own beliefs is how it starts, until then the costs have been too much.