Havant Greens stop short of disowning Zionism policy as Labour threatens to end council coalition

The leadership coalition of Havant Borough Council is in turmoil after the central Labour party has said it will end power-sharing agreements with the Green Party on local councils, unless Green councillors disown the party's newly-adopted policy that Zionism is a form of racism.

Havant Borough Council is currently run by a "rainbow coalition" administration led by Labour, the Green Party, and the Liberal Democrats. Following the May 2026 local elections, Labour Councillor Gillian Harris was appointed as Leader of the Council, with Green Group Leader Councillor Netty Shepherd appointed as Deputy Leader.

The policy adopted by members of the Green Party of England and Wales on October 4 said that Zionism was an ideology that supported an "ethnonationalist Jewish state" that had led to the "disenfranchisement and destruction" of Palestinians. The policy backs the creation of a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine", including Israel.

In a statement released after Labour announced the new measures, Cllr Shepherd said: “Havant Green Party will always uphold universal human rights, as agreed by the Green Party. We will never tolerate any form of discrimination, racism, or harassment in our community.

Sign up for our free emails for all of the local news and sport headlines

“We will continue to oppose genocide, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, and illegal occupation wherever they occur, and we will speak out against violations of international law and human rights.

“On behalf of your local Havant Green Party Councillors, representatives and candidates, we state unequivocally that we do not, and will not, conflate either Zionism with Judaism, nor anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Criticism of a political ideology is not, and cannot be allowed to become, hostility towards Jewish people.

“Equally, opposition to antisemitism must never be used to deny or diminish the rights of Palestinians. Human rights are not a zero-sum game, there is no conflict between supporting the rights of Palestinians and supporting the rights of Jewish people. The Green Party is committed to being an anti-racist party in every way.

“Across the Borough of Havant, Greens of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds continue to advocate for lasting peace, restorative justice, and solidarity with the Palestinian people, just as we do with the people of Ukraine and all those suffering violence and oppression around the world. We will continue to work for a future in which all people can live in peace, safety, and dignity.”

It is not yet clear how Labour council leader Gillian Harris will respond to the statement, or what it means for the future of the coalition.

The largest party on Havant Borough Council is Reform UK, with 10 elected councillors. Cllr Terry Norton of Reform said: “This is yet another twist in Havant’s disastrous Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat coalition. Residents need a council focused on delivering services, yet its leadership is consumed by divisions between its own parties.

“Reform are the largest group on Havant Borough Council but were denied the opportunity to govern by this left wing coalition.

“Reform rejects the blanket characterisation of Zionism as racism. Criticism of the Israeli government must never become an excuse to deny Jewish people the right to self-determination or tolerate antisemitism.

“Residents deserve clear answers about the future of the coalition and its executive. Reform will continue to demand those answers and hold this administration to account.”

A spokesperson for Havant Borough Council said: “We acknowledge the announcement from the Labour Party and are reviewing what it means for us. Our collective, continued focus is to work in the best interests of the residents of Havant and deliver the services that we know matter to people locally.”