In a poll that ran from 9am on Monday, April 24 to 1pm on Friday, April 28, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should Diane Abbott be expelled from the Labour Party over antisemitism row?”
A total of 14,953 votes were received, with the vast majority of readers, 93 percent (13,779 people) answering, “yes”, she should. Whereas seven percent (971 people) said, “no”, and a further 103 people said they did not know.
Thousands of comments were left below the accompanying article as readers discussed Ms Abbott’s political future.
Many readers argued in favour of Ms Abbott being expelled, like username Brenno, who wrote: “Whether the letter was a draft or not is irrelevant. Those thoughts emanated from her. Of course she should go.”
Another, username OssettBoy said: “More than expelled from the Labour Party – She should be expelled from Parliament, she is not fit to hold the office of an MP!”
Similarly, username Neil_P added: “Way past time she was booted out of politics completely.”
And username HarassedBloke remarked: “Absolutely, it’s what she would expect if it were the other way round.”
However, a minority commented that she should remain, with username stonewall1861 writing: “What happened to freedom of speech that we keep on being told is essential in a democracy.”
Ms Abbott, who is currently sitting as an independent MP in the House of Commons, apologised and withdrew her remarks.
She said: “I wish to wholly and unreservedly withdraw my written remarks and disassociate myself from them. The errors arose in an initial draft being sent. But there is no excuse and I wish to apologise for any anguish caused.”
