Diane Abbott to be banned from standing for Labour.

If it's true it's a mistake.

I think what she said, without looking it up was that it wasn't race but prejudice.

She gave examples of racism - slave traders and so on.
It was in response to someone else's article.

It's a mistake I think.
They will lose votes on this.

varian regarding education she talked a lot about it at the time. She was "working to change things" but knew she couldn't do it quickly enough for her own child.

Very bad move for such a loyal Labour supporter.. Keir Starmer is going to do anything to get votes..

She had the whip suspended following remarks in which she suggested Jewish people don’t face racism but suffer prejudice similar to redheads. In her Observor letter she disputed claims that Irish, Jewish and traveller people suffer racism. She stated the experience prejudice , similar to racism and the words are often used as if they were interchangeable. ‘It is true many types of white people with points of difference, such as red heads , can experience this prejudice, but they are not all their lives subject to racism”
(Sky news 24.04.23)

Worrying views from our first black MP. We are a family with many gingers/red heads. None of them has been subjected to prejudice. My Jewish friends had synagogues, schools, community centres attacked.
My Irish friends had a hard time in Manchester during the troubles.
The Irish Travellor communities I’ve worked with are very familiar with prejudice/racism/

Ch4 news just concluded with no clear info on whether she will stand. It suggested she’s had the whip restored. I don’t believe she’s well enough to continue

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-69063295
The whip has been restored.

Thanks Casdon - at last a reliable resource.

Casdon

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-69063295
The whip has been restored.

Good.

It's not clear if she is going to be allowed to stand though.

So now what we see it for what it is:

What happened is that the whip had been removed at the time of the controversy

but a decision had not been made before the sudden election call whether to restore it or not ie whether she will have whip restored and able to stand as candidate.

Then the media shout out, "Abbott not able to stand" typical smear tactics shock horror without proper/all information provided

Starmer says it is up to the NEC to decide, a meeting takes place.

NEC decides to restore the whip.

Another attempt to spread

Another attempt to spread misinformation since despite the O/P no such "Banning" had taken place at all.

Wyllow3

Another attempt to spread misinformation since despite the O/P no such "Banning" had taken place at all.

Exactly

Why would she want to stand. She's 70 and does seem to struggle at times with facts and figures. The press will definitely have her in their sights.

I realise she is well educated and achieved much in her political career but she should retire from front line politics.

Urmstongran

I agree to some extent MaizieD I think Starmer is using her as an excuse to look tough/deny anti-semitism in the LP. A fresh beginning (of sorts) and Abbott has paid the price - after 37 years. Harsh. Perhaps.

It seems harsh, but Starmer knows that both DA and JC are now and have been for a long time, liabilities to the LP.
A fresh start is needed!

I agree with you Marmardoit.

She has been very poorly at times. Let the local LP and NEC and Abbot herself discuss it.

She said " It is true that many types of white people with points of difference, such as redheads, can experience prejudice. But they are not all their lives subject to racism"

She chose Jonathon Aitken for Godfather for her son

zakouma66

She said " It is true that many types of white people with points of difference, such as redheads, can experience prejudice. But they are not all their lives subject to racism"

But she did explicitly include Jewish people in her list of those who had experienced a 'lesser' (my word, not hers) racism than black people. She must have forgotten about yellow stars and mass extermination. Without the word Jewish her letter may have been a bit more acceptable.

What she said was awful and God knows I am no supporter of hers. However that doesnt make the handling of the situation any better. Oh and most of the reporting on this was by newsnight, should we be ignoring them too?

MaizieD

She had the Labour whip removed at the time of the letter she wrote, the 'investigation' was concluded in December and she was reprimanded. She has taken the course she was instructed to take. she apologised immediately after the letter was published.

I can't see any valid reason for not restoring the whip, all I can see is a determination not to have an MP who might not always stick to the 'party line'.

It looks like control freakery. It wouldn't hurt the LP to have a maverick MP or two.

Anti semetism is inexcusable from anyone, let alone an MP. A good result.

It just shows how powerful fake news can be.

LizzieDrip

Thanks Casdon - at last a reliable resource.

Wow, you call the Brussels Broadcasting Corporation a reliable source? 😝

Mamardoit

Why would she want to stand. She's 70 and does seem to struggle at times with facts and figures. The press will definitely have her in their sights.

I realise she is well educated and achieved much in her political career but she should retire from front line politics.

And going out wearing different coloured shoes. 🤣

It was said tonight on SKY papers review, she wouldn’t be allowed to stand for Labour at the July election, by restoring the whip she can stand down as a Labour MP.

Thank you for the information Annie.