Diane Abbott - to stand or not?

She’s clearly unwell. Maybe her diabetes isn’t under control. However, she’s been treated appallingly. She has given so much and faced so much hate. This is not the way to treat someone who’s been in the party this long, regardless of whether she’s on the ‘wrong wing’.

Also the comments she made that got her thrown out, are nothing close to some of the stuff currently serving MPs have said.

I mean given the abuse she’s faced as an MP, saying that Irish, Jewish and Romany Gypsy’s, suffer prejudice but not racism, isn’t that offensive. She was speaking from her own perspective in regard to being a visible minority in the public eye and comparing that to how she sees people from other groups treated. If all those other groups, had fair skin, an English accent and wore an England top, they’d be able to walk freely through the middle of a Britain First rally unmolested. She experiences visceral hate every day and this will shape her perspective.

I think she’s unwell and should retire, but her treatment is out of order. Older women with a voice should clearly just skink off and die somewhere quietly.

This dignified service Dianne Abbott has given the country, that everyone on the left seems to be lauding, seems to comprise of calling everyone and everything racist while smashing back tins of cocktails, sending her son to private school and then visiting him in prison. While having said that Mao did more good than harm.

I think that she should be allowed to stand. If her constituents want her as their MP, they'll vote for her, if they don't they won't...

If he lets her stand after effectively saying she can’t he will look like a joke.

I agree on this. I think there are words and actions that can be problematic but age isn’t it

It sounds like she is a fantastic MP, but is atrocious in front of a camera. I guess the two skillsets don't necessarily overlap. So I think she should be able to stand, but Starmer should keep her away from the media.

If Abbott has health issues that’s between her and her doctor. She’s a sitting MP with a good record as a constituency MP and, as far as I can tell, her constituents want to her to continue. As such, it really should be her decision whether to continue or not.

And less left wing.

I don't mind a scruffy politician. I don't think she is scruffy ,mind.

I am, however, of the opinion she wanted to retire gracefully and has had that messily managed.

They're drawing it out. I don’t feel strongly either way but the party infighting is something

If Labour say no imo she should stand as an independent. Age is clearly no barrier to people turning up to support her.

Time for someone younger

What many of her detractors would like is someone whiter and more male. Not younger.

No but it was a comparison that if someone is in a position of power and responsibility then you expect them to be able to dress themselves correctly. It's a snap shot isn't it.

https://x.com/Channel4News/status/1795897261894844627?t=rwUtsASbMyC47s-pB0XDbA&s=19

Footage from last night from her speech outside Hackney Town Hall.

It is going to be difficult to simply dismiss the level of the shaking. You can say it's just a smear from people making up shit and saying it's because they hate her.

If she is diabetic and this is the cause of her shakes, she isn't managing it well and that raises questions in itself anyway.

It's hard, but at what point do Labour say '"ook thank you for your wonderful service, but really we think we've both reached the point where 'it's time' for all concerned"?

Abbott isn't a doctor though.

I'm a teacher and once got to school with mismatched shoes. Still managed to teach year 9.

Labour have created a really awkward situation for themselves where it either looks like Keir can’t stick to decisions/people don’t respect or listen to him, or that many people are upset that Diane has been ousted.

I personally don’t understand how anyone can listen to her speaking and think she belongs in any sort of political role - Cambridge graduate or not. But that’s just me 🤷🏻‍♀️

I feel sorry for her. Yes she has many great achievements to be lauded but so do many people. One should know when the time is right to step aside. She now looks unwell and mostly talks a lot of codswallop.

Diane Abbott said a few years ago that she is diabetic. I am not aware of any other health issues and indeed they are none of our business.

I think that the best option might be to stand, and then at some point before the subsequent general election, retire.

I don't agree with many of her views on a number of issues, but recognise what she has battled against and been a trail blazer.

Will she be a good constituency MP going forward?

That's a different question to has she been a good constituency MP in the past.

Honestly the footage I've seen of her speaking within the last 24hrs that I've seen today is very concerning with that in mind.

There is clearly a major issue with her health that I do think has got to, or is likely to get to, a point where she is going to be unable to do her job for the next five years.

At 70, being in that position where it is so apparent, you should be asking some serious questions about whether you still are the best candidate to serve the constituency you love.

And I would be saying the same about any MP for any party with similar issues. It's not just a 'Diane Abbott thing'.

Agree. Why are you linking her being older with her being a liability? That’s nothing to bloody do with it. There are plenty of young momentum liability wankers around in the Labour Party.

I’m not a fan of DA but it’s nothing to do with her age. There are plenty of older women I am a huge fan of.

YABU OP for your crass contempt for women simply because they had audacity not to die young.

She’s not going to be a liability as she won’t get a government job. She is a very good constituency MP.

You really didn’t have to embarrass @Anniewestest like that…..

Diane Abbott is 70 years old.

Whilst I think there are plenty of MPs who are that age and are still very capable of the job there are a number of reasons why I do think she should seriously consider retiring.

Firstly, she was suspended for a reason. She was given a formal warning and has been required to do training over her antisemitic comments.

This raises questions over whether she is the best candidate in 2024.

Reasonably the chances of there being an expensive by-election are high too. Her age isn't the be all and end all.

What concerns me most us her shaking.

She was on BBC news doing a speech about wanting to stand and she was struggling to hold the microphone she was shaking so much.

This isn't speculation about her health. This is something anyone who has watched the news can see quite easily.

Whilst I am for disabled and those with chronic illness standing for election - they are important for representation in parliament, I just think with Diane Abbott with all the other issues and this alarming question mark about her health and her ability to do the job going forward, that maybe she should be asking herself whether actually now is the right time to step down. She still can have a valuable role to play within politics if she chooses. She doesn't have to continue to be an MP to do that.

I just feel that at this point vanity and proving a point rather than the interests of her constituents is coming first. That's never a good look.

AIBU - she is a liability. Time for someone younger

is this all you have can come up with on this matter? really?

I don't think she should stand because nobody should put themselves through the absolutely appauling abuse Diane has.

I think she shouldn't stand but should make that decision herself not have it made for her. I don't think she's up to it anymore, but has been treated appallingly.