Diane Abbott, the UK’s first black female Member of Parliament, will be allowed to stand for the Labor Party in the upcoming general election, leader Keir Starmer announced on Friday. This decision follows a tumultuous period regarding her political future.
Abbott’s future within the party has been uncertain, especially after the announcement of the general election by Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last week. At the time, Abbott, 70, was suspended from the party over comments she made last year suggesting that Jewish and Irish people do not experience racism “all their lives.” Despite her immediate apology, she was only reinstated earlier this week, with her candidacy for her northeast London constituency still in question. The situation intensified after Abbott claimed she heard she would be barred from running for the party in the election.
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During a campaign trip to Scotland, Starmer confirmed that Abbott, who has served as a Labour MP since 1987, is “free to stand as a Labour candidate in the election on July 4.” He praised her significant contributions, saying, “She has carved a path for other people to come into politics and public life.”
Abbott has not yet responded to Starmer’s statement.
In recent days, questions surrounding Abbott’s status have overshadowed Starmer’s efforts to communicate his party’s stance on various issues, including the economy and health. Despite consistently calling Abbott a “trailblazer,” Starmer previously avoided confirming her candidacy, leading to accusations that he was purging the party’s left-wing elements, particularly those allied with former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn, a close ally of Abbott, has been expelled from Labour and is running as an independent candidate in his north London constituency.
A Conservative Party spokesperson commented on the controversy, claiming it demonstrated Starmer’s weakness and loss of control over the Labor Party.
Despite the internal strife, Labor maintains a significant lead in opinion polls. If these results hold, the party could become the government after 14 years in opposition.
