Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is criticized for handling a dispute with longtime MP Diane Abbott. Here are the key points:
- Starmer initially blocked Abbott from running again for her London seat
- He later reversed this decision after backlash from party members
- Some say this revealed a chink in Starmer’s armour and raised questions about who is really in control
Does this controversy hurt Starmer’s claims of wanting to change old party dynamics? Let’s take a closer look.
Starmer Blocks Abbott, Then Backtracks
Diane Abbott has been a Labour MP for over 35 years. She was set to run again in the upcoming election for her Hackney North and Stoke Newington district in London.
However, Keir Starmer had refused to endorse Abbott as an official Labour candidate. He did not give a clear reason for blocking her candidacy.
After several days of intense criticism, Starmer changed his stance. He announced that Abbott would be allowed to run for her seat under the Labour banner.
This back-and-forth needs to be clarified for many party members and outside observers. Abbott is a well-known figure, having spent decades as an MP. Starmer’s initial move to sideline her seemed puzzling.
Whose Party Is It? Criticism Over Control
The Abbott saga laid bare simmering tensions between different factions within Labour. Some described it as exposing a chink in Starmer’s armour by revealing his control is not total.
Jess Barnard is on Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which makes key decisions. She argued the incident showed others like deputy leader Angela Rayner can rein in Starmer:
“It does feel a bit like someone somewhere has said ‘that’s enough now, boys, playtime’s over’…and kind of reeled this back in.”
Barnard claimed Starmer has tried marginalizing those on the party’s left wing. She stated he surrounds himself with loyalists – dubbed Starmites – to ensure a smoother path if elected.
But Barnard welcomed input from others like Rayner as the way politics should be. She felt one leader having total power is dangerous.
Taking Advantage to Attack Labour?
The Conservatives pounced on the opportunity to criticize Labour. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claimed that the reversal proves that Rayner is in charge” and called Starmer weak.
He suggested that Starmer could not resist union demands if he gave in to Rayner over Abbott. But Barnard dismissed these as nonsense attacks.
She argued unions want better worker rights and pay – something many voters support after years of Tory policies.
For Barnard, the saga highlighted the public’s desire for leaders to treat each other with more respect instead of resorting to bullying tactics. She hopes all sides can move forward more professionally and compromisingly.
Was It A Sign of Change?
Though Starmer has touted his goal of modernizing Labour, some felt this incident ran counter to that message.
Blocking Abbott initially created the perception of factional, even personal, politics taking precedence over ideals of change.
Reversing course settled the matter for now. But the turmoil raised broader questions about Starmer’s ability to unite factions under a unified big tent vision for a future Labour government.
Will he empower all voices and keep his pledges of party reform? Or was this episode exposing the same old party divisions? Only time will tell after the next election.
For now, this saga over one candidate reminds all sides that political battles, power struggles and perceptions about leadership remain key tests as the campaign continues.
The scceenshot is taken from – telegraph.co.uk
