Kingston Council have voted unanimously to divest their pension fund from companies ‘complicit in violations of international law’.
On Tuesday 8 July, over 70 local supporters from the Palestine Campaign and Kingston’s councillors attended a Kingston Guildhall debate over a petition which was begun by the Richmond and Kingston branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The petition, which asked the council to review its investments, divest from complicit companies, strengthen its investment policy, and report publicly on its progress, received 1,578 signatures, including 1,232 from Kingston residents.
Campaigners’ main aim was to divest Kingston Council’s £60 million pension fund from companies ‘complicit in violations of international law in Palestine and throughout the world.’
Lead petitioner and Kingston resident, Sonu Sayeed, gave a speech to the floor quoting a UN report which named ‘complicit companies’ in which Kingston Council holds investments.
Sayeed said: “We went into the council meeting with hope, but the outcome was more powerful than we could have imagined.
“While this vote is a huge victory, it’s the starting line, not the finish line. We are now focused on working with the council to ensure these words are turned into swift, transparent action.”
A surprise unanimous cross-party result followed the debate, and included a resolution to establish a cross-party Task & Finish Group to conduct a full, urgent, and transparent review of all pension fund investments, to ‘identify holdings in companies allegedly complicit in violations of international law and human rights in Palestine and throughout the world.’
As the debate concluded, Councillors noted how rare it was for all sides to agree on the motion.
Leader of the Opposition, James Giles, said: “It’s not often in this chamber that we find the Administration and the Opposition agreeing.
“But I hope this moment can set a precedent, that when a major policy generates this level of concern, and when constructive proposals are offered, we don’t just defend the status quo out of habit.
“We stop, we listen, and we act.”
All councillors were in favour of the motion, including two Conservative councillors, Rowena Bass and Ian George.
Liberal Democrat Noel Hadjimichael, the Mayor of Kingston-upon-Thames, said: “The councillors here tonight have shown maturity, diligence, and also incredible courtesy to each other in a difficult situation.”
WATCH below to see councillors and campaigners’ discuss their views before the debate.
Featured image credit: Eleanor Mann
Join the discussion