Abbott gives no answers

The Lurcher

She was shambolic.
In fairness it should perhaps be said that she was ill-advised to go back on the sofa whilst still in the leadership race. The sudden switch from the cosy chummy atmosphere she's used to, to rigorous poltical interview with Portillo sitting uneasily beside her, was far too great for her or probably most people to adjust to. She was still "chummy", but that was chummy as in shark bait.

Tiberius

By coincidence, I've just finished watching this on i-player (the BBC does have its uses).

I love Diane, but she does need saving from herself. She has admitted that her position over her son's schooling is indefensible in view of her politics over secondary education, but most of everything else she gets tied up in is also incoherent. Much the same as Ed Balls, in fact.

MikeF

Andrew Neill actually doing his job a political journalist? Amazing.

Colin

More please!

Andrew Neil has to be the most effective political journalist of our age...

Please can you unearth the clip of him, taking Caroline Lucas to pieces? For some reason, it's no longer available on iPlayer.

TrevorsDen

She is as entitled to think west indian mothers are best (after all she swallowed her own political, principals to get the best for her own children) just as much as say Welch mothers are entitled to think that Welch mothers are best.

Her taxi bills are likely to cause her most trouble.

Craig Strachan

Hmmm. I think Andrew Neil went a bit overboard on the "West Indian mums" comment, which is a bit akin to Sonia Sotomayor's "wise Latina" remarks.

I mean, if someone were to remark that "Scottish men are really adept at climbing the greasy pole in London", would Andrew (or Fraser) consider that a racist comment?

Tankus

Abbotts got form when it comes to comments like that.
google "abbott finnish nurses" for a laugh ...!

welchy welsh , ? TD ? some mothers may get upset !

Simon Denis

Bravo, Andrew Neil - it took courage and control to deal with Abbott in that way and he never flinched. I did. I ended up looking at the tv through my fingers. Partly it was because Abbott was so very hopeless - it was like probing a jelly which saved its face by managing not to slip off the plate. Partly it was because Mr Neil has previously given the lady such an easy, friendly ride. One also has to consider the explosive and venomous side to her character - not shy of accusing her detractors and critics of the basest motives. So, once again, bravo Mr Neil. I don't suppose I'll feel as sanguine about him if he skewers a figure from the right but at least I am sure that his cross examinations are impartial.

Naomi Muse

And wasn't that a teensy weensy little bit sexist to ask her all those questions?

When did David Miliband get asked about Jewish fathers, or his brother, Ed, for instance?

When did either of them get scrutinised about any of the issues asked of Diane Abbott?

I just hope Andrew Neil does the same to all the others, about how they run their private lives, and parenthood.

Verity

Trevor's Manky Den - Wales is one of the three constituent countries of Great Britain. The nationality of the natives is Welsh.

starfish

I am sure am sure Brillo will be equally probing if offered the opportunity to dissect the milipedes or Mr Balls

Andrew Neil seems to be uniquly unbiased among BBC 'journalists' judging by recent output

HJ

Leave the poor woman alone.

She's not very bright and she can't construct or follow a coherent argument. Not her fault, millions can't.

Dimoto

Naomi - correct, but next week he has promised to "quiz" young master Burnham (that should be a laugh).
I suppose he's saving the best (Balls) 'till last.

Bluechip

Verity:

Wales isn't a country; it's a principality.

David Lindsay

Andrew Neil suggested that the policies to which she subscribed had never won Labour a General Election. He did not specify whether he meant, for example, her sympathy for the 11-plus, for single-sex schools, for Oxbridge as academically elitist, for universities' flexible approach to entry grades if they see potential in the applicant, for the prevention of social rather than academic elitism by improving the schools attended by the poor, for raising poor pupils' aspirations so that they actually apply to the top universities, and for reinstating full grants so that they can afford to go.

Nor whether he had in mind her consistent opposition to European federalism, or her role as a voice of her ethnic community on immigration by people who cannot speak English or who come from countries with no historic ties to Britain, or her support for action against such things as not giving up seats to elderly people on public transport, or her opposition to the New Labour assault on civil liberties.

All in all, no wonder that she hated both Thatcherism and Blairism so much.

However, Neil did eventually mention "scrapping Trident" and "unilateral nuclear disarmament", which are not the same thing as each other. The first is now the position of, among other people, Michael Portillo, and has never been tested at the ballot box. Nor, for that matter, has the second. It did not become Labour Party policy until the year after the 1983 Election, which, as much as anything else, was two years after the secession of the SDP.

George Laird

Dear All

I like watching This Week with Andrew Neil, Diane and Michael Portillo.

I think that Diane Abbott fits the format well as the show is generally light hearted political entertainment.

Last night exposed Diane Abbott as not the type of person suitable to be leader of a political party, she was politically murdered by her 'friend' Andrew Neil.

We generally see the political face of someone but her views appear the opposite from her actions. Her son sent to private school for example.

I can see how some people are talking that her contract for This Week might not be renewed.

It would be a shame as she fits well in that setting.

Andrew Neil was excellent last night, simply good solid work.

Some say it was difficult to watch but she is a public figure and this relates to her stances during her time as an MP.

No answer is not good enough, I suspect she wasn't happy with that interview afterwards.

Well done Andrew Neil, you have earned your corn and bottle of blue nun.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

ajs

Michael Portillo playing the spare object at a wedding with consummate (!) skill. Poor chap; he should get off the programme soonest.

Verity

Blue Chip - You are correct. I forgot that bit.

Ahmed Khan

Being a contenter for the Labour leadership, I don't think it was wise of Diana to appear on last night's show. However, it proved one thing and that is that Abbots is not fit enough to be the leader of a local West Indian Women's Kniting club let alone lead the labour party.

Paddy

Well done Andrew Neil.

He softens them up and then goes for the kill.

It's a shame more interviewers haven't the courage to probe.

If I had said about my children what she said about West Indian mothers I would have been called rascist.

Kevin Law

what tosh to accuse Andrew Neil of being sexist and in another posters comments too quick to accuse Abbott of racism.

it was Abbott who used the west indian mothers phrase to try and get herself out of a hole - she played the race and sexism card - Neil simply held her to account over it.

moreover Abbott is one of the first people to accuse others of being racist and sexist - so if she is hoisted by her own petard - well she only has herself to blame for it

Sam ARMSTRONG

Now THAT was an effective use of my licence fee.

Tankus

The clip is cut before the best bit ,as she grinds her teeth while giving the look of death to Neil ,while Portillo discusses Afghanistan.

The Masked Marvel

Naomi Muse,

The first words out of Miliband's mouth when he announced his candidacy were not about his Jewish heritage, and he has not campaigned on a platform which declares that only certain racial backgrounds can be best qualified to represent the public and look after their interests.

There are no equivalent Miliband statements for Neil to bring up, so your complaint is based on a false premise.

Paul

Tankus - yes, that was the best bit. But Portillo's look when Brillo first started on Abbott ran it a close second.

2trueblue

Abbott may be a good MP but she is too lightweight to be considered for the leadership. She shows little depth on any issues when in discussion. It is fun to watch her reactions when there is another woman on the program, especially if she perceives any threat. If she can't take the heat she should not have entered the contest.

Steve Tierney

Everything Diane Abbott was asked is easily answered. She is getting bad advice (or no advice) and cannot handle herself in debate. That's disappointing. Given her media experience you'd think she'd be better at it.

Archie

Verity: Manky! manky?! Now there's a word I haven't come across since the 60s! In a county in the middle of England, what's more. I presume we're the same vintage. (Not that I'd dream of asking a lady such a question, you understand).

Archie

A pedant writes: surely a principality is a country?

Tarka the Rotter

Wales is a principality and a country, the two are not mutually exclusive ( Monaco is the same: Luxembourg is a Grand Duchy and a country etc).

There are four constituent parts of Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

MsV

@Naomi, I think you're missing the point - Abbott has a history of playing the race card when it pleases her, her very public statement about West Indian mothers is only the latest in a long line. She deserved everything she got in that interview.

GDT

yet another example of the hypocrisy of socialism.
"I'm alright Jack"

David Booth

I have just been listening to an interview on R4 (26th June) in which Germaine Greer was complaining that she had yet to hear an interview with Diane Abbott regarding her bid to win the leadership contest for the Labour party.
After Diane Abbott's dire interview with Andrew Neil all I can say is that not giving interviews is a policy M/s Abbott should adopt.
Up to now M/s Abbott has had an easy ride from the press over her clownish behaviour and quick response to any criticism by playing the race card.
She comes across as rather slow, dare I say thick, and if she did gain a First at Cambridge it was possibly part of some Affirmative Action Programme.
If M/s Abbott is not prepared to respond to questions and criticism in an open and honest way she should perhaps pay attention to what President Harry S Truman said "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen"

john Da

Tanka Rotter
u mean there are 4 constituent parts to the United kingdom -- Great Britain is not the same as UK -- GB is an island with the "great" meaning big -- so Isle of Wight is an Island south of GB

David Evershed

England+Wales+Scotland=GB

England+Wales+Scotland+NI=UK

England+Wales+Scotland+NI+Eire+Channel Isles=British Isles

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

Andrew Neill gave Abbott an easy ride. Imagine that in her place was Nick from the BNP, and he had said that white, English mothers would do the utmost for their children compared to other mothers. He would have been nagged, abused and accused of racism By contrast, the gross Abbott was not pressed. I imagine that git Andrew Neill was afraid of being accused of prejudice and heaven forbid, racism, if he pressed the point. A true traversy of unbiased broadcasting, what the BBC knows best.

Anne Wotana Kaye 1

travesty - please excusr my lousy typing.

Dave Short

This reads a bit weasally because the writer does not name the interrogator or reveal that he is his boss and mentor and also the chief executive/managing director or whatever of The Spectator.

Very unimpressive.