Diane Abbott, the veteran left-wing MP, once again expressed her regrets over the letter she penned to The Observer, which resulted in accusations of antisemitism and her suspension from the Labour Party. Speaking with BBC Newsnight, the representative for Hackney North and Stoke Newington reiterated, "I did apologise at the time, but I have no problem in apologising again. It was never my intention to cause offense at the time." This fresh apology reignited conversations about her controversial remarks and the repercussions she faced.
The contentious letter, responding to author Tomiwa Owolade’s column titled "Racism in Britain is not a black and white issue. It’s far more complicated," drew ire as Abbott compared antisemitism to the forms of prejudice faced by those with red hair. The backlash was swift and severe, with Abbott stating she “wholly and unreservedly” withdrew her comments, attributing the miscommunication to errors found in the initial draft of the letter.
During her conversation with Victoria Derbyshire, Abbott explained, “What I was trying to talk about was race-based discrimination. Because, if you walk down the street nobody can tell whether you're Irish or anything else. But if I walk down the street, or my son walks down the street, people know straight away he's black.” Despite her clarification, the accusations of antisemitism remained, as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned her comments and suspended her from the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP).
Abbott, who has served as the MP since 1987 and is commonly regarded as the first Black woman elected to Parliament, felt the brunt of criticism and attributed her suspension to internal politics within the Labour Party. She suggested Starmer leveraged the situation to clear out left-wing members amid party tensions. “By writing a very ill-advised letter, I gave them the opportunity to move against me,” Abbott claimed.
Further complicting her ordeal, Abbott stated she felt like she had been treated as a “non-person” within the party leadership, particularly after being subjected to racist remarks from Conservative donor Frank Hester, who commented on her as someone who “made him want to hate all black women” and suggested she “should be shot.” This incident, she noted, did not elicit any meaningful outreach from Labour leadership.
Abbott’s predicament is indicative of broader issues within the Labour Party, which have become increasingly contentious since the leadership shifts. Supporters noted the added scrutiny Abbott faced as one of the party’s only Black MPs attempting to navigate the often turbulent waters of internal conflicts and public scrutiny, especially during these heightened political times.
Despite the backlash and her difficult position, Abbott managed to remain part of the political narrative, officially being endorsed by Labour’s governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), allowing her to stand as a candidate again.
Her experiences reflect the challenges faced by minority figures within political arenas, contrasting against the backdrop of British politics' historical treatment of race and identity. Abbott's perseverance has been noted by voters who, even if they do not support every aspect of her political stance, recognize her commitment and enduring presence within Parliament throughout the years.
"History, they say, is written by the victors. But as A Woman Like Me and Abbott’s career show, history written by the underdogs can be powerfully inspiring," commented supporters during her recent rally. Through it all, Abbott has faced her share of challenges, underscoring both her resilience and the textured interplay of race within British politics as she continues to make her voice heard.
