On 15 October 2026, the Green Party conference passed a motion characterising Zionism as racism. The resolution was described by critics as an antisemitic stance, setting off a chain of reactions across the political landscape.
Also on 15 October, Labour announced it was reviewing its existing power-sharing deals with the Greens in local government. The review aimed to assess whether those arrangements could continue given the Greens’ newly adopted position.
Labour could end local coalitions with Greens over Zionism policy https://t.co/SFJ3NmOu4i
Prime Minister Andy Burnham used the same day to declare that a national partnership with the Greens was off the table. He said the motion was wrong and antisemitic, and that his side would have nothing to do with it.
He said the motion was wrong and antisemitic, and that his side would have nothing to do with it.
Labour then told the Greens they had one week to publicly disown the Zionism‑is‑racism motion. If they did not, Labour warned it would end its local coalitions with the Green Party.
Labour could end local coalitions with Greens over Zionism policy https://t.co/rkRFW4465g
A spokesperson for the Green Party criticised Labour’s approach, calling it heavy‑handed and warning that the ultimatum risked damaging cooperation at the local level.
Bridget Phillipson, speaking for Labour, said that where local Labour parties currently have an arrangement with the Greens in local government, they expect their Green counterparts to make clear that they reject this position and to call on their national leadership to reconsider the policy.
Labour to end local coalitions with Greens if they do not condemn Zionism policy | ITV News https://t.co/kbS8vfMBd5
Andy Burnham reiterated his view, describing the motion as wrong, antisemitic, and declaring that his side of the House would have nothing to do with it.