The MPs Diane Abbott and Joani Reid have been readmitted into Labour and had the parliamentary whip restored, just under two weeks into Andy Burnham’s premiership.
The party confirmed that this followed separate independent disciplinary processes, and Labour said the leadership played no role in either decision.
Sure, sure....
Abbott, 72, the mother of the House of Commons, was suspended for a second time last summer after saying she did not regret comments about racism that had led to her initial loss of the whip in 2023. Reid, who was elected as MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven in 2024, voluntarily relinquished the whip in March this year. Her husband had been arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service in a case linked to China. Reid has never been accused of wrongdoing.
If I was her, I'd be really cheesed off being lumped together with the Abbottopotomus...
Burnham has told Labour MPs he will change disciplinary culture and allow MPs to speak about their disagreements without fearing retribution from party whips.
Then why have whips at all?
A government source told the Guardian that Abbott’s readmission had nothing to do with the leadership change and that if she repeated these comments or made antisemitic remarks, “she’ll have to go again”.
The countdown begins again, gentlemen, place your bets!
Phil Rosenberg, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called Abbott’s reinstatement “an early test of resolve” for Burnham.
And he failed it.
1 comment:
He said they can air their disagreements. The reason for keeping the whip is that although they can disagree they will be whipped into towing Herr leaders line.
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