A Liverpool MP has quit the Labour party over growing anti-Semitism in the party.
Dame Louise Ellman becomes the city’s second female politician to leave the Jeremy Corbyn-led opposition this year following Luciana Berger’s departure.
She had been a registered member of the party for over half a century and has represented the Riverside ward in Parliament since the 1997 General Election.
In a letter published on Wednesday, Dame Louise confirmed that she will continue to serve her constituency but condemned Mr Corbyn’s leadership.
“Under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, antisemitism has become mainstream in the Labour party. Jewish members have been bullied, abused and driven out,” she said.
“Antisemites have felt comfortable and vile conspiracy theories have been propagated. A party that permits anti-Jewish racism to flourish cannot be called anti-racist.”
She added: “The overwhelming majority of the Jewish community is fearful of what a Corbyn government might mean for Britain’s Jews.
“I share those concerns. But this issue is not simply about the Jewish community. This is about the nature of our society.
“Jeremy Corbyn’s seeming tolerance of antisemitism would embolden racists, poison our public debate and damage the social cohesion of our country.
“My values – traditional Labour values – have remained the same. It is Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, that has changed. He has presided over a culture of hatred, fear and intolerance in the Labour party.
“But this issue is no longer just about the Labour party – it is about the threat a Jeremy Corbyn premiership could pose to the country.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “Jeremy Corbyn thanks Louise Ellman for her service to the Labour party over many years.
“Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party are fully committed to the support, defence and celebration of the Jewish community and continue to take robust action to root out antisemitism in the party and wider society.
“Jeremy Corbyn has consistently supported struggles for human rights and justice around the world and made the right calls in the interests of security and peace.”