Anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in Swindon, councillors are determined.

A motion put forward by Conservative Roger Smith condemning the pernicious hatred was unanimously backed by all members of all parties in the council chamber.

Coun Smith brought his motion at the closest meeting to January 27 – Holocaust Memorial Day – which this year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

He quoted the famous poem by Martin Niemoller about not speaking out against the Nazis and said: “We all have to speak out against anti-Semitism and oppression.

He said: “The one hatred that unites extremists of all stripes is anti-Semitism.”

Coun Matthew Courtliff made reference to anti-Semitism being present in mainstream politics and said he was proud Swindon voted against it twice in local and national elections.

That didn’t impress Labour group leader Jim Grant, but didn’t deter him from offering his group’s wholehearted support. The motion was seconded by Vinay Manro.