There are some pretty wild rumours doing the rounds which suggest that David Ward MP is considering joining George Galloway’s Respect Party.
Here’s a Guardian interview:
“There is a huge operation out there, a machine almost, which is designed to protect the state of Israel from criticism. And that comes into play very, very quickly and focuses intensely on anyone who’s seen to criticise the state of Israel. And so I end up looking at what happened to me, whether I should use this word, whether I should use that word – and that is winning, for them. Because what I want to talk about is the fundamental question of how can they do this, and how can they be allowed to do this.”
…
Nine years ago Ward, who was a lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University, was seconded to Bradford City Football Club in order to help it engage with its immediate community, which is largely Pakistani and Bangladeshi; he set up a centre that worked with anti-racist groups. Surely he, of all people, knows the freight words carry, and the importance of being careful, and specific. “The solid ground I stand on is that I am not a racist,” he says. Later he adds: “If I’m not racist – and I don’t think I am, and this is where the apology came in – that doesn’t mean I won’t make comments that can be interpreted as being racist. But it gives me confidence to say that when I say words it isn’t with intention of offending.” Unfortunately for him, merely being convinced of something doesn’t necessarily make it true.
Yeah. I think he should join Respect.
Although that might be a little tricky now!
