Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer permits veteran MP Diane Abbott to stand as a Labour candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, resolving internal debates. The campaign also sees policy focus in Scotland and media clashes with the Conservatives.
Starmer Allow Abbott to Stand as Labour Candidate Amid Campaign Tensions
On July 4, 2023, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer declared that veteran MP Diane Abbott would be permitted to stand as a Labour candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, following a protracted internal debate. This announcement aims to end speculation about her potential exclusion, which has overshadowed Starmer’s campaign.
Key Moments from Day Nine of the Campaign:
- Starmer Resolves Abbott Row: Starmer confirmed that Abbott could contest her seat, likely to be ratified by Labour’s National Executive Committee. Momentum, a left-wing campaign group, hailed this decision as a significant victory but urged for Faiza Shaheen’s reinstatement as a Labour candidate.
- Policy Focus in Scotland: Starmer emphasized the importance of Scotland to Labour, unveiling plans for GB Energy, a state-owned energy company based in Scotland, receiving backing from Sir Patrick Vallance.
- Additional Campaign Issues: Angela Rayner, Welsh Labour’s Beth Winter, and other Labour members took center stage in various selection controversies, while political leaders sidestepped questions about cooperating with convicted former US President Donald Trump.
Campaign Actions:
Starmer, along with Angela Rayner, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and shadow net zero secretary Ed Miliband, conducted a rally in Scotland, advocating for sending a Labour government to Westminster. Concurrently, criticisms emerged from First Minister John Swinney accusing Labour of adhering to conservative fiscal policies.
Media and Social Media Highlights:
Labour accused the Conservatives of attempting to remove its TikTok content, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak mocked Labour’s GB Energy policy as insubstantial. Additionally, Sunak’s campaign activities continued in the North East.
Both Starmer and Sunak are set to participate in a televised debate as calls grow for a specific foreign policy debate featuring David Cameron and David Lammy, reflecting the heightened focus on global security issues.
