Diane Abbott barred from running as Labour candidate in upcoming election despite party reinstatement

Labour Party Bars Diane Abbott from Running in July Election Despite Reinstatement

Diane Abbott, Britain’s first Black female lawmaker, has been barred from standing as a candidate for the Labour Party in the upcoming general election on July 4th, despite being reinstated by the party. Abbott, who was first elected to parliament for Labour in 1987, revealed to the BBC that she has been banned from running as a Labour candidate, even though her suspension was lifted.

The suspension was initially enacted last year due to comments Abbott made on racism, specifically in a letter to The Observer newspaper where she stated that Jewish, Irish, and Traveller people “undoubtedly experience prejudice”, but do not face racism “all their lives”. Despite apologizing “unreservedly” for the comments, Abbott was still suspended.

A longtime campaigner on issues such as racism, poverty, and international affairs in her London constituency of Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Abbott was a close ally of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Under Corbyn’s leadership, the party faced scrutiny for its handling of anti-Semitism, leading to an investigation by the equalities watchdog.

Corbyn, who is also barred from running as a Labour candidate after his comments on anti-Semitism, has announced that he will run as an independent candidate. The current Labour leader, Keir Starmer, has sought to crack down on anti-Semitism within the party and has shifted towards the center.

Opposition lawmakers on the left of the Labour Party have expressed anger over Abbott’s treatment, highlighting the racism and sexism she has faced throughout her political career. Despite facing abuse and racist remarks, Abbott has been defended as a “trailblazer” by Starmer.

As the UK gears up for the upcoming election, Labour holds a significant lead over the governing Conservatives in the polls. However, Starmer will be cautious of allowing the issue surrounding Abbott to become a distraction in the lead-up to the election, where Labour is poised to potentially reclaim power after 14 years.