“British” Muslims and “tolerance”
The Labour Party has become embroiled in a race row after aprospective female councillor was allegedly told she was ‘too white andJewish’ to be selected.
Elaina Cohen claims that Labourcouncillor Mahmood Hussain said he would not support her applicationfor an inner-city ward because ‘my Muslim members don’t want youbecause you are Jewish’.
Mrs Cohen, 50, has made anofficial complaint about the alleged remarks made by Mr Hussain, aMuslim and former lord mayor of Birmingham.
She said: ‘I amshocked and upset that a member of the Labour Party in this day and agecould even think something like that, let alone say it.
‘People should not be allowed to make racist comments like that. Ifsomeone in the party feels I cannot represent them because of my colouror religion, that’s ridiculous.
‘I felt particularlyaggrieved because I have worked across all sections of the community,particularly with the Muslim section, and have been on official visitsto Pakistan.’
Mrs Cohen had applied to stand as a Labourcouncillor for the Birmingham ward of East Handsworth and Lozells,which has a high Asian and Afro-Caribbean population.
Asone of Labour’s safest seats on Tory-led Birmingham city council, thefinal candidate would be almost certain of victory at the June 4by-election.
But when Mrs Cohen telephoned 57-year-old MrHussain for his support, she was astonished to be told that she was too’white and Jewish’ to be considered.
Lorraine Briscoe, whoruns a local community association, was sitting next to Mrs Cohen whenthe conversation took place on speakerphone last Tuesday.
‘I was disgusted that a councillor could make comments like that in 2009,’ she said.
‘Hetold her, “They will not vote for someone who is white and Jewish. MyMuslim members don’t want you because you are Jewish”.