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Diane Abbott’s surreal U-turn
Spectator (UK)Nov 26, 2022
The Facts
UK Labour MP Diane Abbott has been suspended by her party pending an investigation into a letter written to and published by media outlet The Observer on Sunday that concerned the topic of racism.
The former shadow home secretary's letter said that while Jewish, Irish, and Traveller communities have experienced "prejudice," such communities aren't all subject to racism throughout their lives despite the terms often being used "as if they are interchangeable."
The Spin
Right narrative
Abbott's comments were disgraceful and it's very hard to believe that her letter was mistakenly sent as a first draft. Abbot continues to dig herself into a hole and throw herself into discourse involving "which race has it worst." This was at best a poor attempt to end discrimination, but more than likely an unintended public portrayal of her dark inner thoughts on certain groups of people.
Left narrative
While the views presented in this letter were misguided and wrong, the current pile-on against a long-standing advocate for equality is uncalled for. It's hypocritical for right-wing Labour and Conservatives to pounce on a mistake when they themselves have a history of targeting travelers and supporting the anti-Semitic nationalist right in Eastern Europe. This is a political witch hunt — Abbott's opponents are guilty of far worse than they've accused her of.
