“She should not be left isolated and has a better track record on fighting racism than anyone else in the Labour Party. Racism is not a political football. Keir Starmer must restore the whip.”
Sabby Dhalu, Stand Up to Racism
By Matt Willgress, Labour Outlook
In less than a day a grassroots petition calling on Keir Starmer to restore the Parliamentary Labour Party whip to Diane Abbott has received over 5000 signatures.
Welcoming the petition and its initial support, Beth Winter MP said, “Diane Abbott has been a trailblazer for black communities and for fighting racism in parliament for more than 35 years. Without her being in the PLP the party risks alienating voters in constituencies across the country.
“The numbers signing the petition shows the strength of feeling which is welcome. The party should show it treats members equally and fairly and restore the whip as it has for other MPs in recent years.”
Tweeting support for the petition, Richard Burgon MP said, “The racism targeted at Diane Abbott by a top Tory donor is appalling. Diane deserves all of our support. As the first black woman MP in UK history and a real Labour hero, that should include Diane being brought back into the Parliamentary Labour Party.”
Commenting on the situation Diane faces, MSP and former Labour leader in Scotland Richard Leonard said, “The violent racism of Frank Hester was vile. It tells you everything you need to know about the Tories.
“The Labour response must be to stand firm with Diane, show practical solidarity and restore the whip without delay.”
The co-convenor of Stand up to Racism, Sabby Dhalu said, “The racism Diane Abbott MP is frequently subjected to is horrific, but to be fearful of her life whilst the government refuse to take action against Tory donor Frank Hester’s racism is extraordinary. Meanwhile Labour uses this racism to score political points against the Tories, whilst failing to address the racism Diane Abbott was subjected to by Labour members. She should not be left isolated and has a better track record on fighting racism than anyone else in the Labour Party. Racism is not a political football. Keir Starmer must restore the whip.”
Labour NEC member and Momentum NCG member Mish Rahman added, “At the very least, the Labour Party should restore the whip, support and stand in solidarity with Diane Abbott who faces intolerable levels of abuse unlike any other politician mainly because the political and media class have normalised her abuse.
She needs to be treated with the respect she deserves as the first Black female MP, someone who has broke glass ceiling after glass ceiling – a pioneer of the Labour movement.
Enough of your factional games. Restore the Whip Now!”
Fellow NEC member Yasmin Dar said, “Diane Abbott has been a trailblazer in British politics, breaking barriers and enduring unacceptable levels of racism throughout her career. Her resilience and determination serve as a testament to her strength and commitment to standing up for social justice. Restore the whip now!”
Commenting on the failure for the whip to be restored to Diane, Labour NEC member Jess Barnard said, “Diane’s treatment under Starmer’s Labour Party and brings shame on the party and undermines any claims that the party is taking racism seriously.
This week we’ve seen one example of the disgusting racist abuse she faces, exposed by the media, but the reality is Diane has been dealing with this on a daily basis for years, with no support from her own party.
Labour should restore the whip, apologise to Diane and start properly supporting women of colour in the parliamentary Labour Party, including Diane, Apsana and Zarah.”
Labour NEC member Gemma Bolton added, “Diane should have been celebrated as Britain’s first black woman MP but instead she has suffered years of hostility and abuse at the hands of not only other parties but also her own. It’s now time for Keir to right this wrong – Restore the Whip Now!”
The petition was initiated by the Labour Assembly Against Austerity. Commenting on behalf of the organisers, a spokesperson said “This great start shows the growing support there is for Diane to have the whip restored. Now we need to up the campaign, including by reaching 10,000 supporters as soon as possible.”
The petition has also been supported by numerous prominent figures on social media including John McDonnell MP, Grace Blakeley, Andrew Fisher, Alex Nunns, Simon Fletcher, James Schneider and Ben Sellers, plus the Labour Women Leading group.
- The petition can be signed here
- The whip being restored to Diane has received support this week from a range of forces across and beyond the Labour Party including Ed Balls and Harriet Harman. You can read a detailed summary here.
- If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
Just to add: provided that Diane wishes to accept her whip back. Considering how she has been abused and smeared over the years by the Labour Party, people should
get her view on this and accept her decision whatever it may be.
This obnoxious woman should not even be in the House of Commons let alone in a legitimate political party