On 27 September 1953, Diane Julie Abbott, Britain’s first black female Member of Parliament, was born to Jamaican parents in Paddington, London.
Abbott’s father was a welder, and her mother was a nurse. Both grew up in rural Jamaica and immigrated to the United Kingdom in the early 1950s. Despite leaving school at age 14, they instilled in Diane a strong commitment to education.
A bright student, Diane attended Harrow County Grammar School for Girls and later matriculated to the prestigious Newnham College, Cambridge, where she earned a degree in History in 1973.
Early Career and Path to 1st Black Female MP
Following university, Abbott held various roles that paved the way to the House of Commons. She served as a Race Relations Officer at the National Council for Civil Liberties, a researcher and reporter at Thames Television, a Press Officer at the Greater London Council, and, in 1986, became the Head of Press and Public Relations at Lambeth Council.
Abbott joined the Labour Party in the 1970s, influenced by Jeremy Corbyn, who later became the party leader. In 1987, she secured Labour’s nomination as the candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. Winning with over 18,000 votes, she made history as Britain’s first black female MP and one of the first MPs of African descent.
Advocacy and Parliamentary Contributions
A staunch socialist and feminist, Abbott has been a vocal advocate for issues she considers “principled,” such as race, gender equality, and LGBTQ rights. She served as Shadow Home Secretary from 2016 to 2020 under Jeremy Corbyn and is currently an adviser to the Privy Council. A legacy of firsts in British politics, in 2019 Diane became the first black MP to represent their party at Prime Minister’s Questions.
As a prominent black female MP, Diane has faced significant racist and sexist abuse. An Amnesty International report found that she was the target of almost half of all abusive tweets directed at female MPs during the 2017 election campaign, receiving ten times more abuse than any other MP.
Awards and Recognition
After 37 years in the House of Commons, Diane is now Britain’s longest-serving black MP. A highly respected and decorated politician, Abbott has received several awards, including:
- 2008 : Spectator/Threadneedle Parliamentarian Award for “Speech of the Year” on civil liberties
- 2017 : Icon of the Year at the inaugural Viacom Diversity in Media Awards.
- 2020 : Named among the “100 Great Black Britons”
- 2024 : Bestowed the title “Mother of the House” – an honour awarded to the longest-serving female MP
Abbott’s Trailblazing Legacy
In 2022, Abbott published her memoir, A Woman Like Me, chronicling her extensive political career and resilience in the face of adversity.
Diane Abbott’s journey from a young girl in Paddington, born to Jamaican immigrants, to becoming Britain’s first black female MP is a testament to perseverance, resilience, and dedication. Her contributions have paved the way for future generations of underrepresented voices in British politics.
Despite facing significant challenges and adversity, Abbott has remained steadfast in her commitment to advocating for social justice, equality, and the rights of marginalised communities. Her legacy as a trailblazer and role model will continue to inspire and influence the political landscape for years to come.
Cover Photo | Silvana Trevale/The Guardian
