Diane Abbott

Diane Julie Abbott (born 27 September 1953) is a British politician. Abbott was born and raised in London. Her parents were Jamaican immigrants. She is now the Member of Parliament for the Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency in London, UK. She was fortunate to be the first black woman to be elected to the House of Commons when she was elected in the 1987 General Election.[2] In 2010, Abbott became Shadow Public Health Minister after unsuccessfully standing for election as leader of the Labour Party.[3][4][5] Abbott was made Shadow Home Secretary by Jeremy Corbyn in October 2016.


Diane Abbott

Official portrait of Ms Diane Abbott crop 2.jpg
Shadow Home Secretary
In office
6 October 2016 – 5 April 2020
LeaderJeremy Corbyn
ShadowingAmber Rudd
Preceded byAndy Burnham
Succeeded byNick Thomas-Symonds
Shadow Secretary of State for Health
In office
27 June 2016 – 6 October 2016
LeaderJeremy Corbyn
ShadowingJeremy Hunt
Preceded byHeidi Alexander
Succeeded byJon Ashworth
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development
In office
13 September 2015 – 27 June 2016
LeaderJeremy Corbyn
ShadowingJustine Greening
Preceded byMary Creagh
Succeeded byKate Osamor
Shadow Minister for Public Health
In office
9 October 2010 – 8 October 2013
LeaderEd Miliband
Preceded byGillian Merron
Succeeded byLuciana Berger
Member of Parliament
for Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Assumed office
11 June 1987
Preceded byErnie Roberts
Majority35,139 (62.4%)
Personal details
Born
Diane Julie Abbott

(1953-09-27) 27 September 1953 (age 70)
London, England, UK
Political partyLabour
Spouse(s)Richard Thompson (1991–1993)
Children1 son
Alma materNewnham College, Cambridge
WebsiteOfficial website
*Lyn Brown served as Acting Shadow Home Secretary while Abbot was on leave from 7 June 2017 – 18 June 2017.

She attended Newnham College, Cambridge.[6]

Abbott is a frequent public speaker,[7] newspaper contributor[8] and TV performer. She has been on many programmes such as Have I Got News For You, Celebrity Come Dine with Me,[9] Cash in the Celebrity Attic.[10]

Diane Abbott Media

References

  1. "Diane Abbott". Desert Island Discs.
  2. "Desert Island Discs featuring Diane Abbott". Desert Island Discs. BBC. Radio 4. 2008-05-18.
  3. Kite, Melissa (26 September 2010). "Labour: Voting system conjures up a gripping finish". The Daily Telegraph (London). https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/8025457/Labour-Voting-system-conjures-up-a-gripping-finish.html. Retrieved 1 April 2018. 
  4. "Diane Abbott enters Labour leadership contest". BBC News. 20 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8693687.stm. Retrieved 20 May 2010. 
  5. "Frequently Asked Questions". www2.labour.org.uk. Archived from the original on 29 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  6. UK | Magazine | Faces of the week. BBC News. 7 November 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3247947.stm. Retrieved 5 January 2012. 
  7. "About Diane". Dianeabbott.org.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  8. Abbott, Diane. "Diane Abbott - Comment is free". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/dianeabbott+commentisfree/commentisfree. 
  9. "Diary: Diane's appetite for losing". The Independent (London). 12 January 2011. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/diary/diary-dianes-appetite-for-losing-2182237.html. 
  10. "Two Programmes - Cash in the Celebrity Attic, Series 6, Diane Abbott". BBC. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2012.