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Joani Reid, the Member of Parliament for East Kilbride and Strathaven, has emerged as a powerful voice in the fight against antisemitism in the UK, despite having no personal Jewish connections.
Since her election in July 2024, Reid has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to confronting prejudice and promoting tolerance. She chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism,
Reid made it clear last week at the Actions Matter Summit, hosted by the European Leadership Network and Combat Antisemitism Movement in Vienna, that the battle against antisemitism is a responsibility for everyone. She said: “it cannot be left to just those in the Jewish community.”
She also stressed that when combating antisemitism, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition “has to be your starting point.”
Born and raised in Glasgow, Reid grew up in a family with strong political roots. Her grandfather, Jimmy Reid, was a prominent Scottish trade unionist and politician, and her upbringing, shaped by the “hard left,” gave her a unique perspective on social justice issues. Reid admitted, “I knew more antisemites than Jews.”
Despite that Reid has become a steadfast advocate for combating antisemitism, both within her political party and in society.
At the summit, she explained that her decision to speak out against the issue stems from a deep sense of duty, particularly in light of the “terrible legacy” left by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
“We have to have the courage to stand up and call it out,” Reid said. She believes that people who chant antisemitic slurs “must be held accountable in the legal system.”
Reid’s political journey has been marked by her tireless dedication to improving her community. Before becoming an MP, she served as a councillor for Lewisham Central for eight years, including a stint as cabinet member for Safer Communities.
She was faced with a difficult choice when Jeremy Corbyn led the Labour Party: “either leave the party or take action.” She chose the latter becoming actively involved in addressing the rise of antisemitism within the party.
Although Reid represents a constituency with few Jewish residents, her perspective on antisemitism is clear: it is not an issue that only affects Jewish people. “We have to call it out within our communities and within our political parties,” she says.
She was selected as the Labour candidate for East Kilbride and Strathaven in February 2023, and since her election in 2024, Reid has used her platform to advocate for a broad range of social justice issues, with antisemitism as a key focus.
She says: "The Prime Minister made sure to clear out all the antisemitism in the party, and it is now a far cry from what it was under Corbyn. I wouldn't be here otherwise."
In recognition of her work, Reid was invited by Danny Stone MBE, Chief Executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, to chair the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism.
Initially hesitant to take on the role, Reid realised that her position as a non-Jewish leader gave her an important responsibility to speak out against hate in all its forms. “I can’t imagine how it must feel to feel unsafe,” Reid says. “I will do everything in my power to tackle antisemitism in the UK.”
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