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Conor McGinn |
Activist claims Labour has anti-Catholic bias
Ex-polls candidate quits over ‘one-sided’ abortion campaign
A RISING young star of the Labour Party has quit a top job, claiming bias against his Catholic faith.
Conor McGinn, who lives in Mildmay Road, Newington Green, stepped down as vice-chairman of Young Labour, maintaining that his party’s campaign over the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill was one-sided.
The Bill involved MPs voting on proposed changes in abortion law and the rights of same-sex couples to adopt.
In his letter of resignation, Mr McGinn, a Labour council candidate for Mildmay ward in 2006, said: “I have always kept my Catholic faith a private and personal matter. My views on several aspects of the Bill, particularly the amendments relating to abortion, are sincerely and deeply held. I respect and acknowledge that those who disagree with me hold equally sincere views.
“It is because of this that I found it unacceptable that units of Young Labour, including London Young Labour, organised and advertised events to campaign on one side of the argument, in what is, after all, an issue of conscience and not party politics.”
Barnsbury ward councillor James Murray, the Town Hall’s youngest councillor and Young Labour treasurer, defended the campaign.
He said: “The campaign went well because we came to the right decision – we won. I am happy. Conor and I clearly disagree on this. I know he feels very strongly on abortion. But I think the full range of opinions was aired during the parliamentary debate.”
Mark Rusling, who replaced Mr McGinn last year as chairman of The Young Fabians, said: “Resignation is obviously a very personal issue. What is important is that both sides of the argument are respected and presented.
“There are many opinions in the Labour Party. I do not think there are entrenched anti-Catholic beliefs in the Labour Party.”
If the campaign by his Young Labour party colleagues upset Mr McGinn, an article written by Labour MEP Mary Honeyball made his position “untenable”.
In a Guardian newspaper comment column she described Catholicism as having a “vice-like grip” across Europe and accused Catholics of “interfering in the democratic process”.
Her comments have been described as “very 17th century” by Labour Party insiders. Some wonder whether, if “Catholics” had been replaced with “Muslims” or “Jews”, the MEP would still be in a job.
Mr McGinn said: “Anti-Catholicism, although it doesn’t overtly manifest itself, is ingrained. They are, in effect, questioning the loyalty of Catholics and using Guy Fawkes-era language.
“I have been in contact with a lot of people who have been offended by the article.”
Mr McGinn said he remained a member of the Labour Party, which has 43 Catholic MPs, most of whom voted against the Embryology Bill. |
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