Keir Starmer promises action over cancellation of Jewish MP’s school visit | Bristol

Keir Starmer has pledged action against union activists and campaigners who opposed a school visit by Damien Egan, a Labour MP and vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel, due to his perceived support for Israel’s military operation in Gaza.

School Visit Cancellation

Pro-Palestine activists and members of the National Education Union (NEU) objected to Egan’s planned visit to a school in his Bristol North East constituency, viewing him as supportive of the ongoing military operation. The cancellation occurred in September, but the issue gained prominence on Sunday when Communities Secretary Steve Reed stated a Jewish colleague had been barred from a school visit over concerns it would “inflame” teachers.

During Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons on Wednesday, Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp accused the campaigners of antisemitism, claiming Egan was “prevented from visiting a school in his constituency because he is Jewish.”

Starmer responded, stating, “Can I start by thanking you for raising this case, because it is very serious, very concerning, and all members of parliament should be able to visit anywhere in their constituency, schools or other places without any fear of antisemitism.” He added that his government takes the matter seriously and is “providing more funding for security and support” and “will be holding to account those who prevented this visit to this school.”

Policy Challenges for Labour

The exchange took place amidst scrutiny of Labour’s recent policy shifts. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Starmer’s government for a series of U-turns, including changes to a planned digital ID system, a rise in inheritance tax for farmers, and business rate hikes for pubs.

Starmer defended his party’s record, contrasting it with the Conservatives’ stance on climate change, immigration, and diversity. He referenced a previous Conservative proposal to deport settled families to achieve “cultural coherence.”

Reed had previously told a Jewish Labour Movement conference on Sunday, “I have a colleague who is Jewish, who has been banned from visiting a school and refused permission to visit a school in his own constituency, in case his presence inflames the teachers. That is an absolute outrage.” Sources close to Egan confirmed he was the colleague in question.

Following the cancellation, the Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign posted on Facebook, stating the visit was cancelled due to concerns raised by the NEU, parents, and local constituents. The group asserted that “politicians who openly support Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza are not welcome in our schools.”

Bristol NEU celebrated the cancellation on its Facebook page as “a win for safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of the NEU trade union staff group, parents, and campaigners standing together.”