Corbyn critic Margaret Hodge facing deselection battle

Veteran Labour MP Margaret Hodge is facing a battle to keep her seat after activists in her local party voted to trigger a reselection battle.

The outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyn said she was ‘disappointed’ by the result but will fight to keep the Barking seat she has held for the past quarter of a century.

She becomes the second Labour MP to be ‘triggered’ through the party’s new ballot procedures which make it easier for local members to force a contest, after the threshold dropped from 50 per cent to 33 per cent.

In a statement, Dame Margaret said: ‘I am obviously disappointed. My priority remains serving the people of Barking as I have done for the last 25 years.

‘At a vital time for the country, with a general election looming, we should be focusing our efforts on holding Boris Johnson and the Tories to account.

‘I will work to secure the full backing of Barking Labour Party, so I can continue to play my part as their MP in doing that.’

Dame Margaret, who is Jewish, has angered some in the party for her criticism of Labour’s response to complaints of anti-Semitism.

On one occasion she accused Corbyn to his face of being an ‘anti-Semite and racist’.

Mike Katz, chairman of the Jewish Labour Movement, called the decision a ‘shameful moment’ for the party.

‘Margaret Hodge has been a steadfast campaigner against racism, fascism and intolerance throughout her political life,’ he said.

‘She saw off the BNP in Barking and has over the last few years been determined in her opposition to anti-Semitism within the Labour Party.

‘This is a shameful moment for a party which claims to embody the values of equality and diversity.

‘She has been the target of vicious smears, derision and anti-Semitism, because she has been resolute in her opposition to anti-Jewish racism.’

My statement on the shameful news that @margarethodge has been triggered for Barking CLP for deselection (thread). #Solidarity Margaret – @JewishLabour stands with you. https://t.co/TJzgKz0CMn

— Mike Katz (@mikekatz) September 28, 2019

Margaret Hodge is a loyal friend, brilliant MP, and my ally in the fight against the anti-Jewish hate that’s too prevalent in Labour. Those trying to oust her do a disservice to Barking and to our Party. Their actions will be viewed for what they are – shameful & contemptible.

— Ruth Smeeth MP (@RuthSmeeth) September 28, 2019

STATEMENT: Margaret Hodge has been a steadfast campaigner against racism, fascism and intolerance throughout her political life. She saw off the BNP in Barking, and has over the last few years been determined in her opposition to antisemitism within the Labour Party… 1/5

— Jewish Labour Movement (@JewishLabour) September 28, 2019

Labour’s former deputy leader Harriet Harman said she was ‘dismayed more than I can say’ by the vote.

She tweeted: ‘Margaret Hodge, scourge of tax avoiders, racists and anti-Semitism. Champion of progressive policies. Hyperactive local MP. Surely this cannot stand!’