Anti-Semitism: University Campus Incidents

Lord Bassam of Brighton Excerpts

Thursday 21st January 2021 Grand Committee

[Lord Bassam of Brighton (Lab) [V]]

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Deech, for bringing forward the debate and the CST for its report. The vital issues the debate has raised are the welfare of Jewish students, the need for accessible, responsive reporting mechanisms online and in person, and the need to recognise this as part of a broader social problem.

With my minute, I ask the Minister: are universities that demonstrate best practice in dealing with complaints being encouraged to share that best practice? I think they should.

I welcome the work the Labour leadership is doing to rebuild the trust of the Jewish community and tackle anti-Semitism after the quite shameful findings of the ECHR report. As a party, we look forward to working with others to tackle this problem in our universities and across civic life, using the influence and insight which we have in tackling discrimination, injustice and hate crimes.

Finally, like all other colleagues, I congratulate the Minister on his appointment and give him the very best regards for his maiden speech, which I, and everyone else who has taken part in this debate, look forward to hearing.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord McNicol of West Kilbride) (Lab)]

It gives me pleasure now to welcome the Minister, Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, for his maiden speech.