The MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington has been a key part of the Labour Party over the years, regularly making media appearances. Here’s everything you need to know about Diane Abbott’s best moments in politics.
1. When she was interrupted at Prime Minister’s Questions…
“Ahem?”
Abbott won Hackney North and Stoke Newington in 1987, becoming the UK’s first black MP. Even as a young backbencher in 1990, she wasn’t afraid of taking on the establishment.
2. When Katie Hopkins called her “baffled and startled”…
“Is this b*tch serious?”
Hopkins and Abbott went head-to-head last January to talk about benefits claimants and the former Apprentice contestant told Abbott she loves nothing more than being “baffled and startled”.
3. When she was tired of this mansion tax bulls**t…
“Yeah, yeah… nah”.
Abbott agreed with the mansion tax “in principle” but said it doesn’t work for ordinary Londoners.
4. When she decided to run for leader of the Labour Party…
” … *blink* … “
In 2010, Abbott decided to run for the Labour party leadership on a platform that claimed there were too many middle-aged white men in government. This was her reaction to Andy Burnham’s question: “Isn’t that a bit racist?”
5. When she liked Nelson Mandela before it was cool…
“Oh, that’s nice.”
Abbott came on Newsnight in 2013 to talk about tributes to the late Nelson Mandela from Conservative Party members. She was less than impressed…
6. When she was in hot water after a controversial tweet…
 “…aaaaaaand breathe…”
And then Ed Milliband called…
 “Yeah, I’m off now…”
7. When Nigel Farage said he wasn’t racist…
“Keep walking…”
In the run-up to the European Elections, Nigel Farage’s comments on Eastern European immigrants were hitting headlines. In this image, Abbott was asked whether she thought Farage was making racist comments or if they were just being taken the wrong way.
