Ian Austin has paid an emotional tribute to his Jewish refugee father in the week he stood down from politics in a bid to stop Jeremy Corbyn becoming Prime Minister.

Fighting back the tears as he recalled his final exchange of words with his beloved dad, Fred, who passed away in March, the former Labour MP told the JC: ”In the last conversation I had with Dad he said to me: ‘I want you to know that I love you very much. I am really proud of you. And I really approve of all the decisions you have taken’.

“Today, I know I could look my father in the eye, and I think I can look Jewish friends of mine in the eye. I really think that.”

Last week Mr Austin was at the centre of election headlines when he urged voters to back Boris Johnson on December 12 to stop the “extremist” Labour leader from coming to power.

The 54-year-old had resigned from Labour in February citing antisemitism under Mr Corbyn’s leadership but now said he could not stand again in the Dudley North constituency he had represented since 2005 because he did not want to “muddy the waters” and risk the Labour candidate getting elected.

Britain’s Jewish community has lost one of its most outspoken and devoted supporters in Parliament.

“I think the best contribution I can make at the moment is to make sure Jeremy Corbyn does not get anywhere near to Downing Street,” he said. “I stood down from parliament because I thought that was the best way of achieving that. That is the most urgent thing in this election.

“I think there is a risk of Corbyn becoming PM. I stood down to try to make sure this doesn’t happen.”

Read the full article at Jewish Chronicle

Related Articles:

‘Peace through strength’ when it comes to supporting Israel and confronting Iran

This article was written by Sandra Hagee Parker, the Chairwoman of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund (CUFI Action Fund), based in Washington DC, and was originally...

“What authority would allow you to do that?” – A response to one journalist’s challenge to Trump’s Gaza plan

During Tuesday’s White House press conference with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, NBC News’ Kelly O’Donnell said to Trump: “You are talking tonight about the United States...

The barbaric nature of Hamas on full display

This week, as more Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity, the world had a glimpse into the barbaric nature of Hamas and its supporters. Chaotic scenes were broadcast around...

Auschwitz80: The speech that world leaders needed to hear

 https://youtu.be/ibbLbn5m0XQRonald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, and heir of cosmetics brand Estee Lauder, gave an impassioned speech at the Aushwitz80 commemoration....

UNRWA has questions to answer: did they know about the hostages?

Israeli hostages recently released have claimed they were held at one of the UN shelters, raising more speculation that Hamas has been protected by the international body.Israel’s...

SIGN OUR PETITION

in support of a National Holocaust Memorial next to Parliament