Newquay Mayor Drew Creek joins Labour after leaving Green Party over Zionism motion

Drew Creek, the Mayor of Newquay and a councillor on Cornwall Council, has defected from the Green Party to join Labour and Co-operatives following the party's recent controversial motion stating that "Zionism is racism." Creek made the switch on Thursday, shortly after the motion was passed at the Green Party's conference earlier this month, prompting a significant shift in local political dynamics.

Creek's departure highlights growing tensions within the Green Party regarding its stance on Israel and Palestine. The motion, which characterizes Zionism as an ideology that fosters an ethnonationalist Jewish state at the expense of non-Jewish populations, has drawn sharp criticism from various Jewish organizations, as well as dissenting voices among Green MPs and competing political parties. Creek expressed that while he holds "huge respect" for many Greens across Cornwall, he felt the motion "crossed a line." He voiced concerns that such positions are detrimental to local community cohesion and vowed to focus on practical issues affecting residents, like road repair and community services.

In response to Creek's departure, the Cornwall Green Party stated it was "deeply saddened" by his decision and emphasized that it does not impose uniformity of belief among its members. A spokesperson acknowledged Creek's contributions as a Green councillor but reiterated their commitment to addressing what they see as injustices, including their condemnation of actions by Israel in Gaza. They expressed hope that internal disagreements over the motion would not overshadow the party’s broader principles.

Looking forward, Creek aims to align his political efforts with Labour's leadership, emphasizing a vision of unity and community service. His decision may raise questions about the future direction of the Green Party and its leadership under Zack Polanski, especially in light of growing polarization in political discourse. Meanwhile, local Labour leaders have praised Creek's courage in taking a stand, highlighting the need for collaborative politics in addressing pressing local issues.