DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Questions for Keir over Abbott debacle
It's fair to say the Daily Mail has never been a fan of Diane Abbott’s politics. The far-Left views she espouses have often been crass, intemperate and divisive.
Yet no one can deny her unique place in the history of the modern Labour Party.
The daughter of Jamaican immigrants, she won a place at Cambridge, was Britain’s first black woman MP and is rightly regarded as a trailblazer.
In the face of considerable abuse, she has displayed determination which has benefited black and Asian MPs of all allegiances.
Ms Abbott’s life story is one which illuminates the best of an inclusive and upwardly mobile Britain.
The daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Diane Abbott won a place at Cambridge, was Britain's first black woman MP and is rightly regarded as a trailblazer
So why would Sir Keir Starmer cast her off in such a seemingly contemptuous manner?
So why would Sir Keir Starmer cast her off in such a seemingly contemptuous manner? True, her remarks that Jews, travellers and the Irish did not suffer the same ‘lifelong racism’ as black people were offensive and wrong.
Also, she is a prominent Corbynite and darling of Momentum, which makes her a threat to Sir Keir’s bid to drag his party back to the centre.
But the disciplinary process by which she has – apparently – been blocked from standing as a Labour candidate is opaque and unfair.
It pays no heed to her hinterland in the Labour Party, her status as a role model or her service as an MP (37 years) and eight years as a shadow minister, serving not just Jeremy Corbyn but Ed Miliband, too.
Sir Keir has previously said Labour should ‘put our arm around’ her, to protect her from the racist abuse that has been thrown at her.
How does that square with his party’s actions now? Far from being embraced, she has been jettisoned in the most brutal and hurtful way.
The backlash is already growing, especially in her constituency.
Her huge vote share in Hackney North and Stoke Newington – where she is regarded by many as a living legend – would surely carry through if she decides to run as an independent candidate.
There were signs yesterday that Sir Keir belatedly realised that defenestrating Ms Abbott so peremptorily was a crass error (after his trade union paymasters expressed their own disquiet).
Diane Abbott is a prominent Corbynite and darling of Momentum, which makes her a threat to Sir Keir's bid to drag his party back to the centre
Abbott's huge vote share in Hackney North and Stoke Newington would surely carry through if she decides to run as an independent candidate
Despite heavy briefing from his officials on Tuesday that her ban was official, the Labour leader now claims a final decision hasn’t been made.
But the damage has been done. The whole debacle raises yet more questions about his judgment and his competence.
And Sir Keir has shown he would do anything to be elected – including betraying a party icon.
Why should anyone trust a word he says?
Protect our post
The proposed sale of Royal Mail to a Czech billionaire raises serious doubts about the future of this vital service.
Tracing its history back to 1516, it is part of the fabric and heritage of this country – from the sovereign depicted on its stamps to the royal ciphers on its post boxes.
And let’s not forget how local posties are often highly valued by their communities.
The proposed sale of Royal Mail to a Czech billionaire raises serious doubts about the future of this vital service
The sale would threaten Royal Mail’s universal service obligations and see the price of a stamp – already £1.35 for first class – soar yet further.
The vague promise of temporary ‘contractual commitments and intentions’ to protect public service aspects of the business will serve to reassure no one.
Regulators and ministers must step in to ensure the Royal Mail’s future is protected.
Despite heavy briefing from his officials on Tuesday that her ban was official, the Labour leader now claims a final decision hasn't been made.
But the damage has been done. The whole debacle raises yet more questions about his judgment and his competence.
And Sir Keir has shown he would do anything to be elected – including betraying a party icon.
Why should anyone trust a word he says?
'Train wreck for Harris': Kamala is ripped to shreds for 'word salad' CNN softball interview as ex-Obama strategist gives brutal verdict ahead of Trump debate showdown
