A statement by Councillor Martin Abrams.

I have recently been notified by the Labour Party that I am eing blocked from re-standing as Councillor candidate in the 2026 local elections in Lambeth. The reason given was because I remain suspended from Lambeth Labour Group for breaking the whip in January 2024 and voting for a motion that called for a full and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, only a month before this belatedly became official Labour policy. I do not regret using my small platform to stand up and speak out against the genocide taking place in Gaza, carried out by the Israeli regime with the support of the UK Government.

As a local Councillor I have worked tirelessly to be a strong voice for a fairer, more equal and greener community in Streatham St. Leonard’s ward and it was one of the proudest days of my life being elected as Lambeth Councillor in 2022. Since being trusted with this opportunity by the local community I have worked hard to be as accessible and responsive as possible, to listen and be empathetic to the needs of our community during a time when people are facing one of the most severe cost of living crises and housing emergencies in living memory.

I have not always got things right and it has often been a struggle balancing the pressures of also having a young family and full time job but I have always strived to be the best possible representative for our wonderful community in Streatham. As the incumbent Councillor I stand the best chance of winning the next election in St. Leonard’s. The decision of the Labour Party to deselect me and block me from re-standing will be completely inexplicable to the local community and will undoubtedly harm Labour’s chance of holding this seat. The people responsible for this decision are pursuing their factional obsession against the interests of both the community and the Labour Party.

My stance on Palestine and what is happening in Gaza has always been a matter of conscience for me and has been long before 7th October 2023. For me and a rapidly increasing number of Jewish people ‘Never again’ means never again for everyone and we see it as our duty to speak out against this genocide and shout it loud and clear: “Not in our name!”

After more than 600 days of genocide this stance has been unequivocally proven to be the only morally just and humane stance. You simply cannot ‘both-sides’ a genocide. We are truly watching one of the greatest crimes of our age live-streamed to us in real time as we watch in horror as tens of thousands of Palestinian children are slaughtered and maimed by Israeli bombs and bullets. As a parent of two young children myself, every single one of those children in Gaza is a whole universe to someone. The grief, pain and suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza is unfathomable and my heart breaks and bleeds for each and every mum and dad facing such loss.

As a non-Zionist Jewish Labour Councillor who has always stood up for Palestinian liberation there have been concerted attempts to silence me within the Council, after more than 1,100 days since being elected in 2022 I have still not been allowed to make my maiden speech in the Council chamber or even ask a Question to the Council Cabinet despite repeated attempts. I refuse to be silenced however and will continue as that Jewish voice against Israeli genocide and against the oppression of the Palestinian people; it is quite simply the very least I can do.

Right now we have a Labour Council in Lambeth, A Labour Mayor of London and now a Labour Government, and after 15 years of Tory destruction there is no longer any justification, locally or nationally, to inflict further cuts or austerity on people. There should be an overwhelming feeling of hope and belief that Labour will significantly and quickly improve people’s lives, but sadly that is not what I am hearing from local people when I speak to them. Labour needs an urgent change of direction. ‘Starmerism’ is a failing project that has alienated core Labour Party voters potentially forever and risks gifting the keys to 10 Downing Street to Nigel Farage and Reform.

I am very proud of the work I have done as a local Councillor in our wonderful community of Streatham St. Leonard’s but my work does not stop here. There is 11 months until the elections in May 2026 and I will continue what I was elected to do and stand up for the voiceless and for those facing injustice in Streatham, Lambeth and beyond. I have always seen my political purpose is to fundamentally shift wealth and power away from the rich, powerful and those few people where it is concentrated most and that will never change. Thank you to everyone that has supported and expressed solidarity.

Image: Westminster protest against Israel’s bombardment and blockade of Gaza on June 4th, c/o Labour Hub.