MP Marie Tidball shares support for the end of Sheffield Labour and Green joint administration at council
Sheffield MP Marie Tidball speaks out on Labour’s decision to end joint administration with the Green Party
Marie Tidball has expressed wholehearted support for the decision to end the joint administration between Sheffield Labour and Green councillors.
Sheffield City Council was among 11 other councils instructed to end council power-sharing agreements between local Labour and Green parties if they did not publicly distance themselves from the ‘Zionism is racism’ motion.
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The motion was passed on October 4 this year at the annual Green Party conference.
Zionism is a political movement supporting Jewish self-determination and the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Israel.
Supporters argue it represents the Jewish people’s right to national identity and security, while critics argue it has contributed to the displacement and unequal treatment of Palestinians.
The motion argues that Zionism is inherently racist, a characterisation opponents strongly reject.
Sheffield MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, Marie Tidball, has shared her support for the decision to end the joint administration.
She said council leader, Labour’s Fran Belbin worked hard to preserve the collaboration, but the two parties had ultimately failed to reach a solution.
In a statement, the MP said: “I fully support Coun Fran Belbin and Sheffield Labour's decision that their joint administration with the Green Party must now come to an end.
“Last month, I unequivocally condemned the Zionism is Racism motion passed at Green Party Conference, and supported Fran's call for Sheffield's Green councillors to publicly reject it. Since then, Fran has worked incredibly hard to try and find common ground and preserve the joint administration.
“It is deeply disappointing that, despite these efforts, the Sheffield Greens have been unable to provide the reassurances our communities deserve.”
The MP then addressed the current controversy surrounding Burngreave Green councillor, Mustafa Ahmed, over an alleged inflammatory social media post after the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel.
The councillor, who was elected in May this year, allegedly wrote that those who do not support a war in Gaza will “bear the shame of supporting the Jews”.
On this, the MP said: “I am also profoundly concerned by the recent reporting of historic social media posts by Green Councillor Mustafa Ahmed following the horrific October 7th attacks.
“These reports need to be taken seriously, and addressed clearly and decisively.
“Antisemitism has no place in Sheffield, and no place in British politics.
“Standing against racism in all its forms means standing up for both Palestinians and Israelis, and their right to self-determination, security and peace. We can oppose antisemitism and stand against the suffering of Palestinian people. These principles are not in conflict.
“I know that this has been an enormously difficult decision for Fran, who has worked in good faith to try and find a way forward. But the responsibility of those in public office to protect and reassure all our communities must remain paramount.
“The people of Sheffield deserve a Council that can continue delivering for them, improving public services, tackling poverty and creating opportunities for our communities.
“I’ll continue working closely with Fran and our local councillors to ensure these priorities are delivered.”