UK
As Trade Unionists we must Demand Starmer Restore the Whip to Diane Abbott
By Logan Willians
Earlier this year, we saw the racist hatred faced by Diane Abbott – needless to say a bastion of the Labour Left and titan within the broader labour and social movements for decades– put under the national spotlight when it came out that the £10 million Tory party donor Frank Hester had said Diane Abbott on tv made him “just want to hate all black women because she’s there” and would later go onto state that he thinks “she should be shot”. Hester’s comments should not be dismissed as the crack pot ideas of one rogue Tory donor but, instead reflect a reactionary shift in the politics of both the establishment and British society which see’s the politics expressed by Diane as a threat that must be targeted as can be seen in Amnesty’s previous report into political targeting which placed Diane as the most targeted politician in Britain.
These racist and misogynistic attacks on Diane are not just a direct attack on Diane and the politics she stands for, they are part of a broader shift to the extreme right of British politics across both the establishment and, society more broadly. This can be seen in Lee Anderson, the former Conservative Party Deputy Chair’s claim that Islamists are ‘in control of London’ or former Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s claim that “Islamists” are “in charge” of Britain.
It is in recognition of this extreme right-wing offensive that two of the largest trade unions in Britain namely, the University College Union and the National Education Union, quickly expressed their total solidarity with Diane through various means. The UCU national executive rightfully recognised that not only had the “Tories refused to return donations from someone who spoke in deeply hateful, racist and misogynistic terms… but our Prime Minster refused to call it out and tried to suggest that a feeble apology was enough and should be accepted”. They would go on to “condemn the blatant double standards being applied to Diane Abbott by politicians on all sides of the house” as well as the “actions of this cruel and divisive government in whipping up racial and misogynistic tensions year after year for their own gain”.
They also explicitly called for the Parliamentary Labour Party whip to be restored to Diane, joining growing calls from across society and the Labour Party in support of Diane at that point, including the likes of Ed Balls, Harriet Harman and John McTiernan.
The National Education Union’s annual conference passed an Urgent Motion on the impact of racist language and violence on schools and communities. It was within this motion that the NEU recognised both the “2022 internal Labour Party Forde report which identified ‘overt and underlying racism and sexism’ towards Abbott and other Black MPs” within the Labour Party hierarchy and that the comments made by Hester towards Britain’s longest serving Black MP “normalises violence against women” and as such the Union voted overwhelmingly to offer its fully solidarity to Diane Abbott as well as strengthening its anti-fascist and anti-racist work. Following this debate NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede would state the union “wants Diane Abbott and other women in public life to be able to do their jobs free from intimidation and threats”. He continued by stating that “comments and ideas which espouse violent, hateful rhetoric and encourage violence have no place in national public debate” as it will lead to serious consequences for the union’s members in education settings across the country.
The actions undertaken by both these Unions, in standing up and demanding justice for Diane Abbott – which must include the Parliamentary Labour Party whip being restored -reflects an understanding that the labour movement cannot stand idly by whilst the politics Diane has trailblazed within the British political sphere is tarnished and targeted by politicians and commentators who are not fit to tie the laces of Diane Abbott. Following on from the campaigning work of the Voice newspaper, Labour Left groups and others the actions of UCU and NEU activists helped to lay down a gauntlet of action which the rest of the movement has been taking up more and more and has become urgent with the General Election being called. To give just two examples, the General Secretaries of four affiliated unions recently wrote to Keir Starmer demanding that the whip be restored, and over 15,000 people have now signed the petition on the same lines initiated by Arise – a Festival of Left Ideas and the Labour Assembly Against Austerity.
We must continue to build as broad a movement as possible in solidarity with the politics best represented in Diane Abbott’s lifetime of work; solidarity, socialism and, the core labour movement ideal that unity is strength. And with the General Election looming, we must demand Keir Starmer restores the whip!
- Over 15,000 activists have signed a petition to Keir Starmer calling on him to restore the whip to Diane Abbott. Add your name here.
- The General Secretaries of four affiliated trade unions – ASLEF, CWU, FBU and TSSA – recently wrote to Keir Starmer calling for the whip to be restored to Diane Abbott. You can read it in full here.
SURGE IN SUPPORT FOR WHIP TO BE RESTORED TO DIANE ABBOTT
A GRASSROOTS PETITION CALLING ON KEIR STARMER TO RESTORE THE PARLIAMENTARY LABOUR PARTY WHIP TO DIANE ABBOTT HAS REACHED THE LANDMARK OF 15,000 SIGNATURES, WITH OVER 3,000 PEOPLE SIGNING IN LESS THAN A DAY.
Marking the petition reaching this level of support Labour member of the House of Lords Lord John Hendy KC, said, “The idea that Diane Abbott should not be permitted to stand as a Labour Party candidate in the forthcoming general election is unthinkable. It would be the ultimate insult on top of the catalogue of vile abuse she suffered at the hands of the Party recorded by Martin Forde KC in his Report. It must not happen.”
Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP issued similar comments, saying, “I am appealing to Keir Starmer to restore the whip to Diane and let her stand as a Labour candidate. As the first Black woman MP and with her campaigning record on behalf of her community and the Labour Party, she is an iconic figure and especially inspiring to young Black women. I am just asking for her to be created fairly.”
Welcoming the surge in support for the campaign, BFAWU General Secretary Sarah Woolley said, “Diane Abbott has stood with trade unions for decades – and now workers across our trade unions are standing with Diane, a trailblazer who deserves our full solidarity. The amazing support for this petition shows what support she has out there – Labour should do the right thing and restore the whip without delay.”
The co-convenor of Stand up to Racism, Sabby Dhalu said, “Labour voters do not want a Parliamentary Labour Party that welcomes Natalie Elphicke but excludes Diane Abbott. As we enter a general election campaign Labour cannot afford to alienate Black voters. Polls show 80% of Black voters won’t vote Labour if Diane Abbott is not a Labour candidate. Labour must restore the whip to Diane Abbott.”
A similar position was expressed by Labour member of the House of Lords Shami Chakrabarti in comments to the Independent yesterday, when she said:“If the tent is big enough for her [Natalie Elphicke], I feel sure that Britain’s first Black woman MP, who has sustained more racist and misogynist abuse than anyone, will have her whip restored urgently.”
Giving a local perspective on the growing support for Diane, former Branch Labour Party and Hackney Local Campaigns Forum Secretary, Pat Corrigan, said: “Diane Abbott was democratically reselected by an overwhelming majority of Hackney North branches and affiliates. Keir Starmer should allow Diane to stand as our candidate. She is the members’ choice.”
All Hackney North and Stoke Newington Labour Party branches had voted overwhelmingly for Diane to be their candidate. She won re-election on eight occasions since she first stood for office since becoming the first Black woman MPs in British history in 1987. She opposed the Iraq War, challenged racist policing in Hackney and beyond and supports the creation of a truly independent Palestinian state. She as a leading opponent of the immigration Act 2014, which led directly to the Windrush scandal and her speech on civil liberties, in the debate on the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2008, won the Spectator magazine’s “Parliamentary Speech of the Year” award, and further recognition at the 2008 Human Rights awards.
Diane was the first Black woman to be elected to any national legislature in Western Europe, the first Black person to be included in Labour’s shadow cabinet as Shadow Home Secretary and is the longest serving Black Member of Parliament. Diane has faced levels of racism and misogyny that have shocked many across Britain. She commands respect internationally. while her commitment to be an effective voice in Parliament for Hackney residents remains unbreakable. She represents the best of Labour Party and movement values.
She has helped transform the constituency into one of Labour’s safest seats, recording over 70% of the vote in 2019. Keir Starmer himself recognised her repeatedly as a “trailblazer”. Diane apologised swiftly and unreservedly for causing any offence after publication of a letter in the Observer last April. For 13 months she has awaited the outcome of a supposedly independent disciplinary process.
Many see a clear factional double standard in the treatment of Diane Abbott. Figures on the right of the Party have been treated far more leniently for more serious offences. Neil Coyle MP had the whip restored after initially being suspended for drunken abuse and making racist comments to a journalist. He then claimed the cost of an anti-racism course he attended on parliamentary expenses. The MP had also reportedly previously had a complaint of sexual harassment upheld against him over an incident at a past Labour Conference.
Barking and Dagenham Council Leader Darren Rodwell remains a Labour prospective parliamentary candidate, despite ‘joking’ that he had “the worst tan possible for a black man”.
The petition is intended to show the high levels of support for Diane’s candidacy. It was initiated by the Labour Assembly Against Austerity and Arise – A Festival of Left Ideas. Commenting on behalf of the two organisations, Matt Willgress said: “Each day we see illustrations of the growing support there is for Diane to have the whip restored across the whole Labour Party and trade union movement – from Ed Balls, through to Polly Toynbee, through to John McDonnell and numerous trade union affiliates. It’s time to do the right thing and restore the whip.”
The petition has also been supported by numerous prominent figures on social media including Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Beth Winter, Richard Leonard, Richard Burgon, Apsana Begum, Jon Trickett, Nadia Whittome, Ian Lavery, ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan, TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust, Grace Blakeley, Andrew Fisher, Alex Nunns, Simon Fletcher, James Scheider and Ben Sellers, plus the Labour Women Leading group. The General Secretaries of four affiliated trade unions – ASLEF, CWU, FBU and TSSA – recently wrote to Keir Starmer asking for the whip to be restored. You can read their letter in full here.
The petition can be signed here.
If Starmer wants Black voter support he should reinstate Diane Abbott
By Richard Sudan, The Voice
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has now officially confirmed that the general election will be held on July 4th, just six weeks from now.
He announced the shock snap election outside 10 Downing Street, in the pouring rain, abruptly ending long held predictions that voters would head to the polls in autumn as many had speculated.
Scrutiny
In recent months Sunak has come under intense scrutiny over the government’s handling of numerous crises’ with many analysts suggesting that the Labour party would be heading for a landslide victory, with the Tories looking set for defeat.
Regardless, Prime Minister Sunak has now fired the starting gun on a race which was always going to be fought along bitter lines.
The Tories are increasingly viewed by observers as a party without a plan using a culture war to distract from the failure and havoc caused by 14 years of austerity.
Sir Keir Starmer has responded to the announcement by repeating his mantra that his party offers change and is ready to govern.
While this might appeal to some voters, the big question for many Black voters is just how loyal should Black communities remain to a Labour party which has recently shown near total contempt to a voter base that has traditionally provided rock-solid support?
To be clear, contempt and disrespect will be the only thing that many Black voters will feel regarding Starmer’s stance towards Black communities especially of late.
After four years in charge of Labour Keir Starmer monumentally dropped the ball regarding plans for a long-awaited race equality act announced earlier this year.
Forced
Years in the making, the eventual unveiling of the plan seemed last minute and forced, offering little more than low-hanging fruit. Much of the plan is already enshrined in law and can be enforced under existing equalities legislation.
To rub salt into the wound, Black media, including The Voice, were subsequently prevented from attending its launch, which was widely viewed as a disaster.
Another major issue for many in our communities is the treatment of Black MPs, in particular Diane Abbott.
Where Labour have failed to make sufficient progress in numerous critical areas, Abbott has remained a champion for many issues including the safeguarding of Black children, the challenges faced by Black boys and the underachievement of Black students in school.
In addition to this, Abbott has been a life-long anti-racism campaigner, and has opposed many of the wars which have made Labour unpopular over the years.
Abbott was also a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn who many feel is the closest Black people and other communities on the margin have had to a potential ally in Downing Street.
Reinstated
With the election now around the corner many will be watching to see if Abbott will be reinstated by Labour or if she will remain suspended – which many view as unjust – subjected to a never-ending investigation.
Critics say the process is designed to prevent her from standing for Labour in the constituency she has represented since 1987. They are right.
It’s not just about Abbott, but her fate will provide a litmus test for many undecided voters as to whether they can trust Labour in government, or whether their support will be taken for granted.
Indeed, a poll conducted previously by The Voice showed 80% black voters could ditch Labour over the treatment of Abbott.
This was then followed by the Frank Hester scandal and the Tory Party donor’s comment that Abbott made him hate all black women.
The outrage which ensued sparked important conversations about the safety of black women in Britain. Here was a chance to show some leadership and stand unequivocally with Abbott.
But the lack of solidarity towards Abbott from Starmer and Labour following the revelation of Hester’s words, and the sublime opportunism displayed by fundraising from her treatment, instead left a bitter taste in the mouth for many.
Culture war rhetoric
Many Black voters will also be alarmed at Starmer’s increasing willingness to cosy up to the Union Jack, embrace culture war rhetoric, while offering no bold reassurance that Labour will protect existing equality policies while pushing bold new ones.
The wider picture beyond this is that Black communities have been hit the hardest by a cost of living crisis which was exacerbated by the pandemic.
We need a prime minister who challenges inequality at the root particularly around, housing, employment, health and the criminal justice system.
Black voters will be unlikely to turn out for the Conservatives. The party’s long track record of anti-Black racism is well-documented.
Disillusioned Black voters who abandon Labour won’t switch to the Tories, they’ll just stay home.
Disaster
This could prove a disaster for Labour, as the party might not be as far ahead in the polls as analysts suggest and the black vote in marginal seats could yet prove critical.
Starmer still needs the Black vote, whether he likes it or not. Right now, I think he’s on course to see it drastically slashed, but if he is serious about winning the election and serious about a second term he has 6 weeks to win it back.
The immediate reinstatement of Diane Abbott could be a start. A concrete commitment and plan to tackle entrenched inequality evidenced in the Black British Voices survey could be another step.
Committing to ending the hierarchy of racism within Labour, shown by the Forde Report would be another. Finally confronting the undeniable reality of institutional racism within the police is vital.
Black voters are watching and will consider their options carefully before making their choice. The stakes are too high for anything less.
- This article was originally published by The Voice on May 23rd, 2024.
- Richard Sudan is a journalist for The Voice, Britain’s only Black national newspaper. You can follow him on Twitter/X here.
- You can sign a petition to Keir Starmer calling on him to restore the whip to Diane Abbott here.
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