Former Jeremy Corbyn spokesperson joins Green Party

A former spokesperson for the antisemitic former leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, has joined the Green Party.

Matt Zarb Cousin, who declared at the time of the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey from the Shadow Cabinet two years ago that he was “staying in the Party with Rebecca Long-Bailey”, has now revealed that he has joined the Greens.

In a tweet, he said: “I’ve joined the Green Party. The country will not get the change it needs from our broken political system. All in on the Greens and electoral reform.”

He observed in a further tweet, “Thanks to the Greens for all the welcoming tweets, including from the leader and deputy. Very kind,” and criticised Sir Keir Starmer in comments to the media.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has long warned of the danger of controversial activists who have left the Labour Party joining the Greens instead.

Earlier this year, Ken Livingstone tried to join the Green Party but was prevented from doing so.

Our Antisemitism Barometer survey of British Jews late last year found that the Greens were second only to Labour in how many respondents felt that the Party was too tolerant of antisemitism (43%). 

Campaign Against Antisemitism has extensively documented alleged antisemitism among officers of the Green Party of England and Wales, including the Party’s former Equalities and Diversity Coordinator who now holds the International Coordinator portfolio, on which the Green Party has failed to act.

Campaign Against Antisemitism advocates for zero tolerance of antisemitism in public life. To that end we monitor all political parties and strive to ensure that any cases of concern are properly addressed.