What is Momentum, how many members does the Labour Party group have and what have they said about anti-Semitism?
The far-left grassroots organisation was set up to support Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader in 2015 and to push a socialist agenda within the party
MOMENTUM is a group that has shaken up British politics after the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour Party leader.
Here is all you need to know about, arguably, the most successful left-wing campaign group in the history of UK politics.
What is Momentum?
The grassroots organisation was set up to establish Jeremy Corbyn and other previously fringe politicians within the Labour Party.
They were inadvertently helped, some say, by previous leader Ed Miliband. After losing the 2015 General Election, Miliband decided to open up future leadership contests by giving an equal vote to anyone joining up for £3.
Many people took up the opportunity who were previously opposed to the party and some had belonged to radical left groups such as the Socialist Workers Party.
Fears are now growing among the once dominant centre-left faction that the group - also known as Corbynistas - may perform a purge of more moderate MPs who are deemed enemies of Corbyn.
On January 15, three pro-Momentum members were elected to Labour’s National Executive Committee - a body which governs the overall direction of the party.
Membership has now overtaken Ukip and they are on course to overtake the Green Party, who currently boast a membership of 39,000.
Its rise has come against a background of the 2008 banking crash and the resulting cuts made to public services because of the adverse affects on Government finances after a bail out of the financial industry.
How many members does the Labour Party group have?
Overall the Labour Party has more than 500,000 members.
What have Momentum said about anti-Semitism?
Labour leader Mr Corbyn has acknowledged that anti-Semitism occurred in "pockets" within the party and wider movement.
A report into the issue by Baroness Chakrabarti in 2016 found that "the Labour Party is not overrun by anti-Semitism", but it was condemned as a "whitewash" by critics.
The pro-Corbyn Momentum group said the problem is "more widespread in the Labour Party than many of us had understood even a few months ago".
MOST READ IN NEWS
How did the row unfold?
- February 2016: Labour MP John Mann calls a "full enquiry" into the Oxford University Labour branch after its club co-chairman resigned, saying many members "had some kind of problem with Jews"
- Jeremy Corbyn launches an inquiry into allegations of anti-Semitism and other forms of racism in the party
- April 2016: MP for Bradford West Naz Shah is accused of sharing antisemitic posts and is suspended fro her post as John McDonnell's parliamentary private secretary
- Ex London Mayor Ken Livingstone makes comments on BBC Radio London defending Shah, apparently claiming Adolf Hitler was a Zionist. He was suspended from the party for a year
- June 2016: Leading the enquiry, Shadow Attorney General Shami Chakkrabarti concluded that while Labour was not overrun by anti-Semitism, there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere". She gives 20 recommendations to improve this
- July 2016: Shah is reinstated and blames "ignorance" for her posts
- September 2016: Corbyn appoints Ms Chakrabarti to the House of Lords, just three months after her enquiry
- April 2017: Livingstone's suspension is extended for a further year
- September 2017: The Labour Party conference is marred by a number of allegations, including that pro-Corbyn activists applauded speakers who voiced anti-Semitic views
- In the same month, Corbyn backs a party rule change put forward by the Jewish Labour movement, that takes a tougher line on antisemitic abuse
- March 2018: Corbyn was accused of antisemitism after defending an East London mural depicting Jewish bankers playing monopoly on the backs of the poor
- April 2018: Political blogger Guido Fawkes reveals Corbyn marked Passover with Jewdas, a radical far-left Jewish group that calls for the destruction of Israel
- Corbyn-backing grassroots movement Momentum says Labour failed on anti-Semitism, and acknowledged the 'upset and despair' of the Jewish community
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]