‘I look forward to eradicating the Greens from Parliament at the next election’: Labour councillor sparks online backlash among would-be voters for choice of language

• Joshua Garfield represents Labour as a councillor in Newham, East London

A labour councillor has sparked online backlash after saying he looks forward to ‘eradicating the Greens from Parliament’ at the next election.

Joshua Garfield, who represents Labour as a councillor in Newham, East London, took to social media on Sunday following comments from Zack Polanski, Deputy Leader of the Green Party.

Polanski had posted about his pride of being a Jewish person in a leadership position in British politics, which prompted a response from Garfield calling the Greens a ‘joke’.

He then said he wished to ‘eradicate’ the party from British politics, prompting severe backlash from punters left unimpressed by his choice of language.

Garfield’s phrasing and talk of eradication had some linking the outburst to the atrocities of the Holocaust, when around six million Jewish people were murdered.

Joshua Garfield (pictured), who represents Labour as a councillor in Newham, East London, has sparked online backlash after saying he looks forward to ‘eradicating the Greens from Parliament’ at the next election

Garfield took to social media on Sunday following comments from Zack Polanski (pictured), Deputy Leader of the Green Party

But Garfield, who is himself Jewish, justified his comments on Twitter through a post about Jo Bird, a Green candidate who was excluded from the Labour party for comments associated with anti-Semitism. 

Garfield wrote: ‘Jo Bird was kicked out of Labour for supporting a group that coralled support for antisemite Chris Williamson and labelled Jews fighting antisemitism as ”witch hunters”. 

‘The Greens welcoming expelled Labour activists with open arms tells you everything you need to know about their values.’  

Polanski had taken to social media on Sunday, writing: ‘There’s been five Jewish people in leadership positions in British political history.

‘I’m really proud to be one of them – and I’m proud of the role the Jewish Greens play more widely in The Green Party.

‘Now let’s go get Jo [Bird] elected in Birkenhead.’

Just three hours later Garfield took issue with the post and responded: ‘The entire party is a joke. Look forward to eradicating the Greens from Parliament at the next election.’

Social media users were quick to call out the politician and added their own views on the vitriol shown in the tweet.

Garfield’s phrasing and talk of eradication (pictured) had many linking the outburst to the atrocities of the Holocaust, when around six million Jewish people were murdered

Garfield also posted a tweet saying: ‘The greens welcoming expelled Labour activists with open arms tells you everything you need to know about their values’ 

Stuart Dillion said: ‘Labour is a cesspit who are offering nothing but hate.’

Paul Kelly said: ‘Eradicating Greens because they are Jewish? Better think that one through again.’

Alan Kennedy said: ‘Holy f***, this is in response to a Jewish Green Party politician. Labour are turning into absolute trash.’

Colleen Hawkins said: ‘Do you have a lot of fantasies about eradicating Jews?’

MailOnline has contacted Mr Garfield for comment.  

Source: Read Full Article