Keir Starmer has today revealed three facets of his character. First, he is politically astute. He knows that his ruthless action re Becky Long-Bailey mutes the vicious opponents of Corbynism, both in the party and outside, with regard to the bogus running sore of antisemitism in the party. Second, he is viciously dishonest. The remark that was supposed to be antisemitic, made by Maxine Peake, was absolutely no such thing, and he knows it. Antisemitism is attacking Jews because they are Jews. The comment in question contained nothing of that sort whatsoever. Attacking the actions of the Israeli state is never, ever, antisemitic. Unless, of course, you make the criticism then add, or imply, that "it's typical of Jews..." which was neither remotely said nor implied. Third, he is a bloody coward who has been led by the nose by the Board Of Deputies, an undemocratic setup that was also responsible in large part for the extremely dishonest and disreputable "working definition of antisemitism," which had the prime aim of stifling any criticism of successive Israeli regimes over their dreadful mistreatment of the Palestinian minority in the territories they control. The pusillanimous and downright creepy and unconditional support of the outrages committed by successive Israeli regimes will one day come back to bite those who indulge in it. Starmer has already shown that he's such a good fence-sitter that his arse must be more splinters than flesh. This move today is simply further confirmation. I look forward to a big backlash in the party. In other words, grrr.