Politics · United Kingdom · 3 hrs ago
Burnham rules out Labour partnership with Greens over Zionism policy
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Labour will not partner with the Green Party while it maintains a policy defining Zionism as a form of racism.
He made the statement in the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
Green Party members approved the policy at their annual conference earlier this month, making it party policy, though it will not automatically appear in the next election manifesto.
Burnham called the motion wrong and antisemitic, while Green leader Zack Polanski has described it as imperfect and said he wanted it amended.
The motion has divided Green Party members and drawn criticism from Jewish groups, Green politicians and other parties.
Labour and the Greens already share power on some local councils, including in Sheffield.
Downing Street has not clarified whether Burnham’s position applies to local councils, so the effect on those arrangements remains uncertain.
Andy Burnham said Labour would not support a partnership with the Green Party while it maintains a policy defining Zionism as a form of racism.
Speaking in the House of Commons, he called the motion “wrong” and “antisemitic”.
Green Party members approved the motion at the party’s annual conference earlier this month, making it party policy.
A Downing Street spokesman would not say whether Burnham’s position applied to local partnerships as well as national ones.
The motion will not necessarily be included in the Greens’ manifesto at the next general election.
- Who
- Andy Burnham said Labour would not support a partnership with the Green Party while it holds the policy. Green Party members approved the motion.
- What
- The motion defines Zionism as a form of racism; Burnham condemned it as antisemitic and ruled out a Labour partnership while the policy stands.
- When
- Burnham spoke on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. Green Party members approved the motion earlier that month.
- Where
- The House of Commons. The motion was approved at the Green Party’s annual conference.
- Why
- Burnham said Labour could not support a partnership with a party holding the position adopted in the motion.
Andy Burnham and Labour
Green Party motion supporters
Assessment of the motion
Andy Burnham and Labour
Burnham called it wrong and antisemitic.
Green Party motion supporters
Motion backer Lubna Speitan said it aimed to oppose racist systems of oppression.
Partnership
Andy Burnham and Labour
Burnham said Labour could not support a partnership while the Greens hold the position.
Green Party motion supporters
Green members approved the motion as party policy; the sources do not state a response to Burnham’s partnership stance.
Green Party members approved the motion at the party’s annual conference, making it party policy.
During Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, Burnham condemned the motion and said Labour could not support a partnership with a party holding that position.
- Vote
- 1,022 votes to 813 in favour of the motion
- Party membership
- 230,000 members in the Green Party of England and Wales
- Local partnerships
- Labour and the Greens are in coalition on some local councils, including Sheffield
- Manifesto
- The policy will not necessarily be included in the Greens’ next general election manifesto
2 sources
What people are saying
It is wrong, it is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it.
We stand united against all forms of racism and discrimination - no exemptions.
I think it is clear that if we have policy, such significant and damaging policy, made by a vote of just 0.4% of our members, that something isn't working in our structures and our policy-making process.