Sam Tarry

Samuel Peter Tarry (/ˈtɑːli/; born August 1982) is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ilford South since 2019. A member of the Labour Party, he was the director of Jeremy Corbyn's 2016 Labour Party leadership campaign and currently serves as a national director of its successor organisation, Momentum.

Sam Tarry

MP
Tarry in 2019
Member of Parliament
for Ilford South
Assumed office
12 December 2019
Preceded byMike Gapes
Majority24,101 (45.1%)
Personal details
Born
Samuel Peter Tarry

August 1982
Westminster, London, England
Political partyLabour

Early life

Tarry was born in August 1982 in Westminster, London and grew up in Dagenham, London.[1][2][3] The son of The Revd Canon Gordon Tarry, a Church of England clergyman, he attended Highlands Primary School in Ilford, and St Edward’s Church of England School in Romford.[4][5][6][7] In 1999, through his school, Tarry participated in an interfaith project in Israel consisting of 24 British, Israeli and Palestinian teenagers. The project "aimed to work towards reconciliation between Christians, Jews and Muslims during the 10-day visit to Israel."[5]

Political career

Chairman of Young Labour

From 2009 to 2011, Tarry was the Chairman of Young Labour, the youth wing of the Labour Party.[8] He was accused by supporters of his successor, Susan Nash, of failing to deliver in the role, with claims that "Young Labour was a vehicle for Sam, not the Young Labour movement".[9] Tarry responded to such criticism by stating that "Under my leadership we've managed to secure a full-time youth officer".[9]

Local Government

Tarry served as a Labour Party Councillor for Chadwell Heath, in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, which he served as from 2010 to 2018, while alleged to have been living in Brighton, Sussex.[10][11]

During this time, Tarry worked with the campaign group, Hope not Hate, where he helped to organise against the British National Party (BNP).[12][13] Talking about his time organising against the BNP, Tarry talked of how "Back home in Dagenham & Rainham, the progressive and unabashedly patriotic messages about restoring dignity and pride ensured that we bit a big enough chunk out of UKIP to match the collapse of many of their voters into an openly hard Brexit Conservative candidates’ hands".[14]

2016 Labour Leadership Campaign
Tarry speaking in 2016

Tarry worked as the director of Jeremy Corbyn's 2016 Labour Party leadership campaign and led Corbyn's response to the Traingate affair. Describing his motivation behind serving in this role, he stated that "The big lesson I drew from the Iraq War was we not only need to be in power to change things, but we need to be in power in the Labour Party to change things".[15] Referred to as "Corbyn's henchman" in national newspapers, Tarry was criticised for allegedly living in his marital home in Brighton, which is 70 miles away from his council seat in Barking and Dagenham.[16][17] Tarry was investigated by police and cleared of electoral fraud.[18]

Tarry subsequently worked as the national political officer for the TSSA trade union, and served as the president of the left-wing think tank, Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS).[19]

Since serving as a director of Jeremy Corbyn's campaign, he continues to be associated with Corbyn's movement, currently serving as a national director of its successor organisation, Momentum.[1]

Selection as a Labour Parliamentary Candidate

Shortly before the 2017 general election, Tarry attempted to be selected as the Labour parliamentary candidate for the safely-held Labour seat of Hull West and Hessle, in the North of England, but despite reportedly having the personal backing of Jeremy Corbyn, was unsuccessful in being selected, losing out to Emma Hardy, a local trade union organiser.[20][21]

Shortly before the 2019 general election, Tarry attempted to be selected to be the Labour parliamentary candidate for Ilford South, London.[22] During his campaign, Tarry was criticised for using racial profiling to target voters, such as sending a letter specifically to Sikh voters about how he supports their fight to eat non-halal meat, which was criticised for fostering resentments between different faith groups.[23] Another candidate, local CLPD activist, Sonia Klein, stepped aside to support Tarry's main rival, Jas Athwal, citing “old colonial tactics of divide and conquer between communities and religious groups to grab a few votes”.[24][25][26] Tarry reportedly responded that "it is entirely right and normal for those seeking public office to pick up on the concerns of local people".[23]

Tarry was selected as the Labour candidate for Ilford South on 22 October 2019. Tarry's victory was controversial as, local Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal, considered the front-runner in the contest, was suspended from the party on the evening before members were due to vote.[27][28][29] Tarry was subsequently selected in a vote a few weeks later, with both Athwal and Klein excluded from the ballot.[19]

Parliamentary career

He was elected as Ilford South MP in the 2019 general election with a majority of 24,101 votes. The constituency was previously represented by Mike Gapes who left Labour to join Change UK in February 2019.[30][31]

After being elected to Parliament, Tarry was appointed to the Transport Select Committee, on which he has been credited as being a "passionate advocate for public ownership" [32] In this role, he has held the Mayor of London to account, calling for the introduction of a death in service payment scheme for London transport workers.[33]

He also joined the Socialist Campaign Group of left-wing Labour MPs.[34] He has used his position in Parliament to advocate for the Labour party to appeal to working class and northern communities, claiming in the 2020 Labour leadership election that Keir Starmer would be unsuited to the role of Leader, because of his "North London lawyer" image.[35] Tarry subsequently supported Starmer's rival, Rebecca Long-Bailey in the contest.[36]

Controversy

During the 2019 general election, Tarry sparked controversy for claiming that "people associated with the Labour Party have sought to exploit the issue [of antisemitism] just because they don’t agree with Jeremy Corbyn over an issue of foreign policy", which was thought to allude to antisemitism claims in Labour being made maliciously by those who disagreed with Corbyn's foreign policy position on Israel.[37]

The Jewish Labour Movement labelled his comments "a tired old trope that the EHRC inquiry is motivated by a desire to smear Corbyn" and considered Tarry's comments "beyond disappointing"[37] Tarry rebutted allegations that his comments were antisemitic or sought to downplay it, stating that antisemitism "is something I care deeply about and would never seek to downplay."[38]

In January 2020, Tarry faced renewed criticism over his stance on antisemitism, after he refused to condemn a motion, widely reported as antisemitic, passed at a branch of the Labour Party in Ilford South.[39] The motion about the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest Jewish communal organisation in the UK, accused it of being "consistent in its support for the Conservative Party".[40] At the meeting, members against the motion were reportedly called "agents of a foreign power".[41] Tarry responded by claiming that "there are conflicting accounts of what happened and what was said. The allegations are very serious and should be looked at carefully. If any allegation is upheld, there should be absolutely zero tolerance." He later added: "Having now seen the motion, and spoken to several members who were in attendance at the meeting, I’ve asked that any complaints go through the party’s formal channels to ensure that this matter is dealt with thoroughly and impartially."[40]

In May 2020, Tarry was contacted by Chingwell and Hainault Synagogue, a local synagogue serving his constituents, asking for an explanation, after Tarry blocked their delegate to the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Tal Ofer, on Twitter.[42] As of June 2020, they had received no response from Tarry to explain why he had blocked the local Board of Deputies delegate, after repeated attempts to contact him.[43] Tarry then appeared to block other Jewish people on Twitter, after they asked him why he had blocked Ofer.[44]

In June 2020, Dame Margaret Hodge, Parliamentary Chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, labelled Tarry "completely inappropriate" for joining Chris Williamson and Jackie Walker, both prominently expelled from the Labour Party in connection to antisemitism, in providing a personal endorsement to a suspended "witchhunted" party member, standing in elections for Momentum's National Coordinating Group, and who, allegedly according to the Campaign Against Antisemitism, has a history of controversial statements and associations in relation to antisemitism. Hodge wrote that this is "Exactly the kind of poisonous politics we should be kicking out, not endorsing!".[45][46]

Personal life

Tarry is married to paediatrician Dr. Julia Fozard, who works in Brighton.[47]

References
  1. "Samuel Peter Tarry – Personal Appointments". Companies House. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  2. "FreeBMD Entry Info". www.freebmd.org.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  3. "Why I'm standing for Young Labour chair | Liberal Conspiracy". Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  4. Clemenson, Matthew (24 August 2019). "Trade union official Sam Tarry hoping to be named Labour's next parliamentary candidate for Ilford South". Ilford Recorder. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  5. Braddrick, Imogen (17 July 2019). "Former Redbridge and Newham school pupils reunited 20 years after 'powerful' interfaith project". Ilford Recorder. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  6. "Our Story - Saint John the Evangelist". www.saintjohnschurch.co.uk. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  7. "appointments". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  8. Tarry, Sam (16 July 2010). "Organising for Labour. Organising to win". LabourList.
  9. Hodges, Dan (28 January 2011). "Young Labour leaked email". New Statesman.
  10. "Corbyn adviser denies claims of electoral fraud over registered address". The Guardian. 28 August 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  11. "Cllr Sam Tarry". Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  12. Tarry, Sam (16 July 2010). "Organising for Labour. Organising to win". Labourlist. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  13. "Sam Tarry". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  14. "Hearts and minds | Fabian Society". Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  15. "HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media". consent.yahoo.com. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  16. Gilligan, Andrew (28 August 2016). "'Double life' of Corbyn henchman". The Sunday Times.(subscription required)
  17. Swinford, Steven (28 August 2016). "Jeremy Corbyn's adviser works as councillor in London but has marital home 70 miles away". The Daily Telegraph.
  18. "East London Labour councillor Sam Tarry cleared after investigation". Evening Standard. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  19. Rodgers, Sienna (22 October 2019). "Sam Tarry wins Ilford South selection to replace Mike Gapes". LabourList.
  20. "Top Corbynista Sam Tarry Parachuted in to Hull West". Guido Fawkes. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  21. Edwards, Peter. "Hull West and Hessle: The runners and riders to replace a Labour legend". LabourList. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  22. Elgueta, Matthew Clemenson & Adriana. "General Election 2019: Sam Tarry 'humbled' to be elected by hometown constituency of Ilford South". Ilford Recorder. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  23. Hill, Dave (16 October 2019). "Ilford South: Anger in the undergrowth as Redbridge deputy leader enters selection fray". OnLondon. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  24. "Ilford South hopeful who switched support to Jas Athwal complained of 'colonial tactics' to 'grab votes'". OnLondon. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  25. SKWAWKBOX (14 October 2018). "Breaking: CLPD choose new slate candidate Sonia Klein". SKWAWKBOX. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  26. SKWAWKBOX (30 September 2019). "Excl: left hopeful for seat vacated by Gapes quits contest – to swing behind RIGHT-winger". SKWAWKBOX. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  27. "Redbridge Council leader suspended over 'serious allegation'". BBC News. 5 October 2019.
  28. Pogrund, Gabriel; Wheeler, Caroline (20 October 2019). "Corbyn friends 'stitch up' seats". The Sunday Times.(subscription required)
  29. MP, Preet Kaur Gill (5 October 2019). "BAME Parliamentary Labour Party have issued the following statement in respect of @IlfordSouth selections.pic.twitter.com/jnwOEKcXbT". @preetkgillmp. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  30. "Ilford South". BBC News. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  31. "Members Sworn". parliament.uk. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  32. "TSSA welcomes appointment of "passionate advocate for public ownership" Sam Tarry to Transport Select Committee - News". www.tssa.org.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  33. Boyle, Cash. "Ilford South MP quizzes Mayor of London on death in service payments for transport workers". Ilford Recorder. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  34. Correspondent, Esther Webber, Red Box Reporter | Oliver Wright, Policy Editor | Henry Zeffman, Political. "Labour leadership: Corbynistas oppose Angela Rayner's bid to be deputy". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  35. "Ilford South MP questions Keir Starmer's 'north London lawyer' image". East London and West Essex Guardian Series. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  36. "Rolling list: MP/MEP nominations for Labour leadership candidates". LabourList. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  37. Phillips, Alek (28 November 2019). "Ilford South Labour candidate says people in the party 'exploit' antisemitism to attack Corbyn 'over foreign policy'". The Jewish Chronicle.
  38. Frot, Mathilde. "Labour candidate claims some 'exploit' antisemitism over foreign policy clash". jewishnews.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  39. Jonathan (21 January 2020). "Scandal erupts at pro-Corbyn MP Sam Tarry's local branch, where senior JVL members who originally nominated him as Labour candidate submit an antisemitic motion which he fails to condemn". Campaign Against Antisemitism. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  40. Harpin, Lee (15 January 2020). "Labour MP faces mounting criticism for not condemning motion attacking Board of Deputies". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  41. "UK Labour Party Member Allegedly Called 'Foreign Agent' for Opposing Motion Attacking Jewish Advocacy Group". Algemeiner.com. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  42. "Yeah, we would also like to know why @samtarry block a Jewish representative of our synagogue and @BoardofDeputies". Twitter. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  43. "Hi @SamTarry, would you be able to explain and answer why you blocked a Jewish representative of our synagogue and a member of the @BoardofDeputies? we are still waiting. CC: @IlfordSouthCLP @IlfordRecorder". Twitter. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  44. "Guess what..." Twitter. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  45. "Sam Tarry MP endorses for Momentum role a candidate who thinks Ken Livingstone should be Labour's General-Secretary and who is backed by Chris Williamson and Jackie Walker". Campaign Against Antisemitism. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  46. "Margaret Hodge on Twitter: "Completely inappropriate for @SamTarry to…". archive.fo. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  47. Lyons, Kate (28 August 2016). "Corbyn adviser denies claims of electoral fraud over registered address". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Mike Gapes		 Member of Parliament for Ilford South
2019–present		 Incumbent
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