“The current situation means we must continue to build stronger support for Diane and prevent a last-minute stitch-up.”
By Labour Outlook
There are reports today that Diane Abbott will now be allowed to stand as Labour’s general election candidate in Hackney North & Stoke Newington – the seat she has represented since 1987.
In a campaign interview, Labour leader Keir Starmer told the BBC, “The Whip has been restored to her now and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate.”
He added, “It’s formally a matter for the NEC but I’ve not expressed a view up until now, but she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate.”
This is being interpreted by many that Diane will be allowed by the NEC to stand as Labour’s candidate if she wishes to.
The development comes after a backlash against reports of her being blocked, including criticism across political divides within the party with MPs including Jess Phillips and Hackney neighbour Meg Hillier expressing concern.
Members of the black community too have been critical, including Lenny Henry, David Harewood and Lemn Sissay.
Meanwhile, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Camberwell and Peckham, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has said voters in the area’s Black community are “really hurt” by the row.
The row in recent days centred on the Times newspaper reporting it had been briefed she would still be blocked from standing after she had the whip restored – the restoration of the whip described as allowing her ‘to leave with dignity’.
Following that, there was confusion around the meaning of Starmer’s statement to ITN News on Thursday 30th May that, “no decision has been taken to bar her”.
After that, party Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said, “I don’t see any reason why she can’t be a Labour MP” reflecting a different emphasis to Starmer.
Formally the decision to confirm Labour’s candidates takes place at a National Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday 4th June and therefore she could still be barred without any such decision being formally made in advance of the meeting.
There is an interpretation that his more recent formulation of words on Friday 31st May, that, “The Whip has been restored to her now and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate” continues to allow sufficient ambiguity and space to manoeuvre for the NEC to refuse to endorse her candidacy in light of a further development.
The current situation means we must continue to build stronger support for Diane and prevent a last-minute stitch-up.
Jessica Barnard, member of the NEC, highlighted the truth that selection decisions are a political calculation of Starmer and his Leader’s Office, rather than the claim selection is independently managed by NEC panels.
She said, “so just as we said, the decision was in Starmer’s hands all along. This shameful episode should be a lesson to Starmer and those around him, the British public will not turn the other cheek to nasty bully boy tactics. A huge victory for Diane Abbott.”
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham was the latest to add her support, responding to Starmer’s announcement with the following statement:
“I welcome the news that Diane Abbott is finally free to go forward as a Labour candidate. This is good news for her, good news for Labour and good news for democracy. I am sure she will now do all she can to ensure that the next Labour government is one that delivers for workers.”
Speaking on behalf of the two groups who initiated the 19,000 strong petition – the Labour Assembly Against Austerity & ‘Arise-A Festival of Left Ideas’ – Matt Willgress said, “If today’s reports are true, this is an important victory for Diane Abbott and her supporters, and shows why public and vocal campaigning for Labour Party democracy is so important.
He added, “A key task for activists across all the Left, labour and trade union movements now is to build maximum opposition to further stitch-ups, and call for the reinstatement of Lloyd Russell-Moyle and Faiza Shaheen as Labour candidates.”
That is why Labour Outlook is going to continue our campaign of standing with Diane.
We have already sent our petition on to Keir Starmer once we hit 15k signatures.
But getting to 20k today would still have great significance – so please don’t delay, sign here today!
Solidarity Diane