News Writer Sofiya Povoas reports on Tory Donor’s comments sparking debate about party racism
Recent comments by the Conservative Party’s largest donor have ignited a debate over the presence of racism within the party and the broader political landscape of Westminster.
Frank Hester, who has contributed £10 million to the Conservative Party over the past year, made controversial remarks about Diane Abbott, stating that she makes one ‘want to hate all black women’ and suggesting that she ‘should be shot’. This has led to an outcry from members of the public and others in Westminster calling out both racism within the Conservatives, and has called into question the effectiveness of party funding laws currently in place in the UK.
…stating that she makes one ‘want to hate all black women’ and suggesting that she ‘should be shot’
Despite the backlash, Hester described his comments as merely ‘rude’, without acknowledging their racist undertones. According to a Tortoise Media report Hester brought in £10 million for the Conservative party in the past year and continues to be accepted by Sunak and the party as a viable donor.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has labelled the remarks as ‘racist’ and ‘wrong’ but wishes for the apology to be accepted and will not take further action to reject further donations. This stance has drawn criticism from opposition parties, with representatives from the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties calling for the return of Hester’s donations on principle.
Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain commented ‘People like Mr Hester and his attitudes need to be nowhere near our politics’. Similarly the Labour party chair said ‘Rishi Sunak needs to pay back every penny, cut ties with Frank Hester and apologise unequivocally to Diane Abbott’.
Despite the backlash, Hester described his comments as merely ‘rude’, without acknowledging their racist undertones
Diane Abbott has been a Labour MP for the majority of her career since 1987. Only recently has she had the whip suspended by the party. Yet throughout her career has been victim to multiple instances of racism and sexism, with recent comments fueling calls for discrimination issues to be addressed in Westminster.
Abbott responded to the comments made, describing them as ‘frightening’ and that she is ‘hoping for public support from Keir Starmer’. Following this, in a debate about racism which took place in the House of Commons, Abbott stood up 46 times in the House of Commons and yet was not called upon by the Speaker of the House, causing further controversy.
In response to Hester’s comments, demonstrations have taken place both outside the Home Office and in Hackney. In one of the rally’s by Stand Up To Racism charity, Labour MP John McDonnell announced to the crows that he was there to stand with ‘my friend, my colleague, my comrade, Diane Abbott’.
No further action has been made by the Conservative party as of yet, but this has contributed to widening rumours that Sunak’s position as leader is growing more precarious.
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