Politics

Kate Green to replace Rebecca Long-Bailey on Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet



Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Kate Green MP as his new shadow education secretary.

The Stretford and Urmston MP, 60, replaces Rebecca Long-Bailey, who was sacked from the opposition front bench this week.

Ms Long-Bailey, a fellow leadership contender in this year’s race to replace Jeremy Corbyn, was dismissed on Thursday for sharing an article online containing an allegedly anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.

Announcing the news on Saturday, Sir Keir said: “I’m delighted to appoint Kate Green as shadow education secretary.


“Kate has spent a lifetime campaigning against child poverty and educational inequalities.

“I look forward to working with her in this new role.”

Prior to her election in 2010, the 60-year-old was chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group and before that was director of the National Council for One Parent Families, now known as Gingerbread.

Ms Green said it was a “privilege” to be asked to join Sir Keir’s top team.

She said in a statement: “The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on children’s education.

“I look forward to working with teachers, unions, parents and councils to help ensure we get our children back in school as soon as possible.”


Kate Green said she would work to get children back in the classroom as soon as possible (PA)

For Ms Green, it is a return to the shadow cabinet after serving as shadow minister for women and equalities under Mr Corbyn’s leadership.

She quit after the referendum, in what was seen by left-wing critics as a coup against the Islington North MP, and went on to chair Owen Smith’s failed leadership bid.

Sir Keir gave her the role of shadow minister for child poverty strategy in April, before elevating her to education spokeswoman two months on.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, welcomed Ms Green’s appointment, adding: “At a time of such difficulty for the early year sector, an effective opposition is more important than ever, and so we look forward to working closely with Ms Green, and representing the views and concerns of our members and the wider sector, going forward.”

Rebecca Long-Bailey sacked by Sir Keir Starmer in anti-Semitism row

Ms Long-Bailey was fired after refusing to take down a tweet linking to an interview with the actor Maxine Peake in which she claimed police linked to the death of George Floyd in the US had learned their tactics from the Israeli secret services.

Sir Keir, following his initial decision, said he had acted in order to rebuild trust with the Jewish community after following repeated allegations of anti-Semitism under his predecessor.

However, the move infuriated left-wing allies of the former leader, including ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who rejected claims Ms Peake’s comments were anti-Semitic and said he stood “in solidarity” with Ms Long-Bailey.

In a statement following its meeting with Sir Keir, the Campaign group said it had also raised the issue of the freedom of party members to speak out on the issue of Israel.

“On the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey from the shadow cabinet, it was clear that significant disagreement remains on this point,” the statement said.

“The Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs made it clear that Rebecca Long-Bailey should not have been sacked and should be reinstated,” the statement said.

“The imminent annexation of the West Bank by Israel’s government was discussed and the need for the Labour Party, MPs, party members and supporters to speak out against Israel’s illegal annexation and ongoing human rights abuses by the government of Israel was raised.

“This was a businesslike exchange of views which took place in a mutually respectful manner.”

Following Ms Long-Bailey’s dismissal, Ms Peake acknowledged her comments in an interview with The Independent had been “inaccurate”.

The former shadow education secretary, however, insisted it was not “racist or anti-Semitic” to draw attention to concerns about police tactics.

The speed of Sir Keir’s decision to move against her was being seen as fresh evidence of his willingness to dismantle Corbynism.

Ms Long-Bailey was the favoured candidate of the left when she stood against him in the Labour leadership election earlier this year.

Despite unhappiness among supporters of the former leader, there was no sign of any other left-wing frontbenchers being prepared to resign in protest.

Meanwhile Ms Long-Bailey has insisted she will continue to work for a Labour government.



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