Field resignation reflects 'deep divisions' in Labour, Tom Watson says
Tom Watson says the resignation of a senior Labour party figure over the anti-Semitism row has laid bare 'the deep divisions' in the party.
Veteran Eurosceptic MP Frank Field resigned the party whip, saying that under Jeremy Corbyn the leadership had become 'a force for anti-Semitism in British politics'.
He also said there was a 'culture of intolerance, nastiness and intimidation' among local constituency parties.
West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson, the deputy Labour leader, said: “This is a serious loss to the party and I deeply regret Frank’s decision.
"It reflects both the deep divisions in the party and the sense of drift engulfing us. It is a major wake up call. We cannot afford to lose people of such weight and stature."
Birkenhead MP Mr Field, who last month lost a vote of confidence in his constituency party after siding with the government in Brexit votes, will continue to sit in Parliament as an independent.
The Eurosceptic MP has faced criticism from party members for his voting record on key Government Brexit legislation.
In his letter Mr Field said: “I am resigning the whip for two principal reasons.
“The first centres on the latest example of Labour’s leadership becoming a force for anti-Semitism in British politics.
“The latest example, from last week, comes after a series of attempts by Jeremy to deny the past statements and actions by him were antisemitic. Britain fought the Second World War to banish these views from our politics, but that superhuman effort and success is now under huge and sustained internal attack.
“The leadership is doing nothing substantive to address this erosion of our core values.
“It saddens me to say that we are increasingly seen as a racist party. This issue alone compels me to resign the whip.”
Mr Field also raised concern about the ‘thuggish conduct’ of some members in his local party and the lack of action against them.
He said the party’s actions served to ‘legitimise appalling levels of bullying and intimidation’.
Mr Field said that he intended to continue in Westminster as an Independent.He added: “I also intend, providence willing, to represent those views when the next election is called.”
