Starmer slammed for Abbott re-suspension – Sam Browse

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“People who are writing ‘island of strangers’ speeches should be a bit slow to sit in judgment on Diane Abbott, who has been fighting racism all her life.”

Shami Chakrabarti

Labour Outlook’s Sam Browse reports on the opposition to Diane Abbott’s suspension 

This week, Starmer has faced widespread opposition for the suspension of Diane Abbott after comments she made to BBC Radio 4. In clarifying remarks for which she was suspended in 2023-24, she set out her own experience of racism and differentiated between that which is directed at people of colour, and experienced by the Jewish and Traveller communities. You can listen to the full interview segment here. 

Since making the comments, the Labour Party has re-suspended Abbott as thousands have signed a renewed We stand with Diane Abbott petition.   

Public figures from across the labour and trade union movement have strongly condemned the move, not least because the previous action against her was widely opposed as indicative of the different standard to which black women are held in Labour Party disciplinary procedures.

Speaking herself of the resuspension, Abbott said ‘it is obvious this Labour leadership wants me out’.

MPs took to social media to condemn the disciplinary action. John McDonnell said –

Bell Ribeiro-Addy emphasised her solidarity –

Apsana Begum highlighted Abbott’s importance in supporting colleagues on the Westminster benches –

And other MPs such as Richard Burgon and Ian Byrne restated their solidarity with Abbott and emphasised her importance in the struggle against racism –

Pointing to the hypocrisy of Abbott’s critics, the Labour peer, lawyer and human rights activist, Shami Chakrabarti, said that “people who are writing ‘island of strangers’ speeches should be a bit slow to sit in judgment on Diane Abbott, who has been fighting racism all her life.”

From outside the Labour benches, independent MPs such as Adnan Hussain were strident in their support –

Zarah Sultana similarly pointed to the hypocrisy and the findings of the Forde report, which found a hierarchy of racism in the Labour Party –

Beyond parliament, the campaign group, Stand Up to Racism, were similarly clear –

Lambeth councillor and activist, Martin Abrams – who has himself been blocked from restanding as a Labour candidate  for his support of the Palestinians – argued –

And even John McTernan, a former advisor to Blair, said –

Unusually, we agree with McTernan: hands off Diane Abbott; reinstate the whip now!

Published by Labour Outlook

Labour Outlook brings you positive news, views and analysis from progressive movements in Britain and internationally. Our independent media outlet is brought to you by the volunteer team behind Arise – A Festival of Left Ideas.

2 thoughts on “Starmer slammed for Abbott re-suspension – Sam Browse”

  1. Starmer is a much bigger danger to the Labour movement and the Labour Party than the Tories ever were. He is obviously unfit to lead the party he represents because he is a racist and tries to stop dissent being as insecure as the orange turd across the pond.

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  2. How can Starmer – a white man of privilege – claim to know anything about racism while he leads a party where the forde report highlights how Abbott was attacked viciously because she is black, was made the brunt of violent racist comments because she is black and was targeted because she is black. Has he dealt with that? No.

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