I told Jeremy Corbyn starting a new party was a bad idea, says Diane Abbott
Why Diane Abbott told Jeremy Corbyn not to set up new party
- Diane Abbott advised Jeremy Corbyn against establishing a new political party, citing the difficulties new parties face under Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system.
- Despite her advice, Ms Abbott believes Mr Corbyn's unnamed new party, launched last month with Zarah Sultana, will exceed expectations due to widespread public dissatisfaction with current politics.
- Ms Abbott, a Labour MP for over 40 years, indicated she would not be joining Mr Corbyn's new venture, despite expressing disappointment with the current Labour government's policies.
- She criticised the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action, labelling it a "complete disgrace" and an attempt to suppress protest.
- Ms Abbott expressed anger at not being called by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to speak after racist comments by Conservative donor Frank Hester, suggesting political motives from both the Conservatives and Labour.