Diane Abbott MP on Overcoming Racism, Dating Jeremy Corbyn and Mojitos on Trains

Diane Abbott is a force of nature - and she needs to be, with so much vitriol directed towards her. She has weathered decades of racist and sexist abuse but has still blazed a trail through British politics as the first ever Black female MP. Not for nothing is she now known as ‘Mother of the House’. We talk about why some people (*cough* white, privately educated men in politics *cough*) are given multiple opportunities to fail upwards, while others aren’t and how she’s always felt the need to prove herself. We also discuss how, as the child of two Windrush generation parents, she had to stand up to her teachers in school when they told her Cambridge University ‘wasn’t for her’ and how she felt she failed in her degree. We chat about political failure in leadership and general elections, drinking Mojitos on public transport, antisemitism and why she’s never had a ‘nice chat’ with Keir Starmer. Plus: dating ex-boyfriend Jeremy Corbyn (warning: involves much tinkering with socialist motorbikes). 00:00 Diane Abbott on Not Being a Victim 00:16 Introduction 02:40 Growing Up Black in Britain 13:49 Failure 1: Not Getting a First at Cambridge 19:41 Sending Her Son to Private School 25:14 Failure 2: Standing for Labour Leadership 27:20 Coping with Racist Abuse 38:21 Dating Jeremy Corbyn 40:35 Failure 3: Losing the 2019 General Election 43:59 Reflections & Farewell 👋 Follow How To Fail & Elizabeth: Instagram: @elizabday TikTok: @howtofailpod Podcast Instagram: @howtofailpod Website: www.elizabethday.org Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com