John McDonnell MP is seeking nominations to stand in the election for Labour leader. The other potential challenger, Michael Meacher, has withdrawn and is calling on his supporters to nominate John. Nominations close on Wednesday evening with candidates needing 45 MPs signatures to get their name on the ballot paper.Predictably, the description of McDonnell in the Sun, is that he is 'IRA-supporting' in reference to a speech McDonnell made at a Bobby Sands memorial in 2003 where he said the bravery of Sands and the IRA had brought about peace in northern Ireland.
However, as well as his commitment to Irish unity, McDonnell has campaigned consistently for the Irish community in Britain, for the service provision and health of Irish communities as well as against miscarriages of justice.
Perhaps most importantly in the current climate of the 'war on terror' and the growing racism in Britain, McDonnell has recognised the increased suspicion the Muslim community is facing, as the whole Irish community once did in Britain, and has supported them steadfastly.
At a joint meeting of Campaign Against Criminalising Communities and the Wolfe Tone Society in 2004, McDonnell described how the Muslim community is now being subjected to the same levels of intimidation as the Irish suffered during the war with the IRA. In the same manner that the Guildford Four and Birmingham Six were imprisoned simply for being Irish, Muslims are being intimidated and arrested for their growing political activity against British military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan and it's failure to press the Israeli government to recognise Palestinian sovereignty.
Watch www.labour.org.uk for updates on nominations from MPs - John's own website is www.john4leader.org.uk
The Labour Party Irish Society hustings meeting takes place this Thursday 17th May, 7pm in the Camden Irish Centre. See www.lpis.org.uk for more details.
