Diane Abbott is a name that evokes strong reactions in British politics. For some, she is a tireless campaigner for social justice, a trailblazer who broke barriers as the UK’s first Black female MP. For others, often those who disagree with her politics, she is a lightning rod for vitriol, a figure who seems to attract more than her fair share of criticism, much of it laced with racism and misogyny. What’s striking, though, is how often Abbott’s critics are proven wrong, and how she, in turn, is proven right. Yet, instead of being celebrated for her foresight and courage, she is subjected to a level of abuse that is as relentless as it is inappropriate.
The Abuse: Racism and Misogyny in Full View
Let’s not mince words: Diane Abbott has faced a level of abuse that would make most people walk away from public life. The racism and misogyny directed at her are not subtle; they are blatant, vicious, and deeply personal. In 2017, a study revealed that Abbott received nearly half of all abusive tweets sent to female MPs in the run-up to the general election. To put that in perspective, she represents a single constituency, yet the abuse she received dwarfed that of her peers. The messages were often grotesque, filled with racial slurs, sexualised insults, and dehumanising language. She has been compared to a monkey, called a “Black bitch,” and told to “go back to Jamaica”; never mind that she was born in London to Jamaican parents.
The abuse isn’t confined to social media. Abbott has spoken about receiving death threats and having to have security measures in place to protect her safety. Even in the supposedly refined world of mainstream media, she is treated differently. Her appearances on shows like Question Time or Any Questions? are often met with a level of scrutiny and hostility that her white, male colleagues rarely face. When she makes a mistake, like anyone in public life occasionally does, it is amplified, dissected, and weaponised against her in a way that feels distinctly racialised.
Proving the Critics Wrong
What makes the abuse even more galling is that Abbott has so often been on the right side of history. Take austerity, for example. In the early 2010s, when the Conservative-led government began slashing public spending, Abbott was one of the loudest voices warning of the devastating impact it would have on communities. She spoke about how cuts to welfare, education, and healthcare would disproportionately affect the most vulnerable; particularly Black and minority ethnic communities. Fast forward over a decade, and the evidence is overwhelming: child poverty has soared, food bank use has skyrocketed, and public services are on their knees. Abbott’s warnings were not just right; they were prophetic.
Then there’s the Windrush scandal. Long before it became a national scandal, Abbott was raising concerns about the hostile environment policy, which required landlords, employers, and even the NHS to act as border guards, checking people’s immigration status. She warned that this policy would lead to racial profiling and the wrongful targeting of Black British citizens. Her fears were realised in the most heartbreaking way: members of the Windrush generation, people who had lived in the UK for decades, were wrongly detained, deported, and denied access to healthcare and housing. When the scandal finally broke, Abbott’s earlier warnings were vindicated, yet the abuse she faced never let up.
Abbott’s stance on civil liberties has also been proven right. She has long been a critic of mass surveillance and the erosion of privacy rights, warning that these measures would disproportionately target marginalised communities. Her concerns about racial bias in stop-and-search practices have been backed by countless reports, including those from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which found that Black people are far more likely to be stopped and searched than their white counterparts. Similarly, her opposition to the Iraq War, a position that was deeply unpopular at the time, has been vindicated by the Chilcot Report, which exposed the catastrophic failures and lies that led to the conflict.
Why the Abuse Matters
The abuse Abbott endures isn’t just a personal issue; it’s a societal one. It reflects the structural racism and sexism that pervades British society. Black women in particular face a unique form of discrimination, often being held to higher standards than their peers while receiving less respect. The abuse Abbott faces sends a chilling message to other women of colour: if you dare to enter public life, this is what you can expect. It’s no wonder that many are deterred from pursuing careers in politics or other high-profile fields.
What’s more, the failure to adequately address this abuse, whether by the media, political parties, or the public, normalises it. It sends the message that racism and misogyny are acceptable, or at least tolerable, as long as they’re directed at the “right” people. This is not just wrong; it’s dangerous. It undermines the principles of equality and justice that Abbott has spent her career fighting for.
A Call for Change
Diane Abbott’s career is a testament to her resilience and commitment to her principles. She has faced down abuse that would have broken many others, and she has done so while continuing to fight for the causes she believes in. The fact that she has so often been proven right should be a source of pride, not just for her, but for all of us who believe in a fairer, more just society.
It’s time to confront the racism and misogyny that Abbott faces head-on. This means calling out abuse when we see it, whether it’s on social media, in the press, or in everyday conversation. It means holding institutions accountable for the ways in which they perpetuate prejudice, whether through biased reporting or inadequate responses to harassment. And it means celebrating Abbott’s achievements, not just as a Black woman, but as a politician who has consistently fought for what’s right.
The racists may hate Diane Abbott, but their hatred says much more about them than it does about her. Abbott’s legacy is one of courage, foresight, and an unwavering commitment to justice. It’s time we gave her the respect she deserves.
