Sheffield Greens defy Burnham's antisemitism ultimatum as Labour threatens to tear up coalition deal

Sheffield's Green group has rejected Labour's demand to condemn the Green Party's 'Zionism is racism' motion, defying a national directive from Labour chair Bridget Phillipson ordering 17 local councils to sever power-sharing arrangements with Green partners unless they formally repudiate the policy within seven days. Sheffield Green Group leader Angela Argenzio warned that collapsing the joint administration would be 'disastrous for the city', accusing Labour of tearing up the coalition for 'political point scoring'. The standoff puts Sheffield City Council's future governance in serious doubt.

Burnham ruled out any 'partnership' with the Greens at Prime Minister's Questions this week, calling their motion 'antisemitic' — the first time he had gone that far.

Jewish councillor Sharone Parnes of Woodstock has written an open letter demanding Green colleagues clarify their personal views and confirm commitment to the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

Nigel Farage had pressed Burnham to act first, writing that a party 'which has chosen antisemitic dogma has no place at the cabinet table' — and a former Labour minister admitted Farage was 'absolutely correct'.