Diane Abbott row and Lee Anderson defects - what's it all telling us about the state of politics?

Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, Labour's Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips and former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, look at some of the big politics stories of the week.
They say it's Tory donor Frank Hester who's had an "electoral dysfunction" this week after he apologised for comments he made about MP Diane Abbott. Almost a day after the revelations, the prime minister said they were "racist and wrong" - but hasn't suggested returning the £10m to the businessman. Mr Hester insists he is not a racist.
The Reform Party will be the ones feeling "on top" after Lee Anderson left the Tories to join them - but Jess, Beth and Ruth discuss how much momentum that will really give the party in an election.
Plus, Electoral Dysfunction listeners get advice on how to engage young people in politics, and where would you even get started if you fancied a political job?
Email Beth, Ruth, and Jess at [e-mail] (sky.uk) , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.
Warning: some explicit language.

[@knightyknight5399]

We live in a 2 tier systern, different rules for black people..

[@albertbrammer9263]

Starmer is doing all he can to ensure Abbott cannot stand on the Labour ticket.

[@brianferguson7840]

And ? We don't want racists in the labour party !

[@minimalist279]

...and he will take a hit for that and the other big issue

[@RockdownPlus]

Isn't Jess Phillips the mp who proudly boasted about telling Diane Abbott to f off🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@brianferguson7840]

Probably ! And so what ? Diane Abbott has always been a very divisive character who's behaviour rubs a lot of people up the wrong way.

[@RockdownPlus]

@@brianferguson7840 Many people rub me up; I don't swear at them. Jess was part of the culture of disrespect and bullying of that woman, that culminated in open racism against ALL black women and a threat to Abbott's life. Terrible.

[@user-vc7sn6oy3j]

@@RockdownPlus Nonsense. Diane Abbott is expedient & disingenuous, interminably playing "the R card" in advancing her vested interests.She 100% deserves the animosity she invites

[@knightyknight5399]

What as she done to rub people the wrong way.??.Boris Johnson done worse and nothing is said....

[@juliewatt1951]

Wish this was visual for KZbin

[@ImMatthewFallon]

me too. They record visuals for the podcast so they must exist somewhere.

[@michaelhussey440]

Imagine the row if three male commentators did a politics show named after a female sexual health issue .

[@anonnymous4684]

It's OK. There's no chance that patriarchy will end any time soon.

[@icedevolution4462]

Man up 😅

[@mikeflynn4373]

Politics has given way to GovCorp and the Great Reset.

[@johnreid9959]

2 wrongs don’t make. A Right Fact she’s suffered racism doesn’t means she’d allowed to be racist

[@ivanconnolly7332]

Naked mud wrestling is cleaner than this.

[@paulemcj2446]

Money talks. That's why the party barely acknowledge his racist threat.

[@johnreid9959]

He didnt say he hated all black women he said he doesn’t hate all blsck women

[@brianferguson7840]

Not only was that incorrect it was largely illegible.

[@anonnymous4684]

He said that Diane Abbot made him feel like he wanted to hate all black women. It's a text book example of racism.

[@johnreid9959]

@@anonnymous4684 no he’s said after that but but he doesn’t hate all black women so it’s saying he feels her should but he doesn’t anc Diane abbott said all white peoole are racist in 198) So she’s saying she should feel she should hate all white people 2 wrings dint make a right

[@anthonymellor174]

It seems Beth Rigby has much to discuss. I wonder if she will address the question of why she violated COVID-19 guidelines by attending a party, yet still returned to work at Sky. I suggest Phillips might be involved, likely taking advantage of any opportunity for a pleasant holiday or conference, eagerly highlighting any significant issues she can find.

[@ziggi08able]

Such is the zeitgeist, it's difficult to have a conversation about race with any degree of nuance. It's seems perfectly reasonable to me to point out that a white person of Irish, Romani or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage might not be immediately recognisable as being of that heritage and be discriminated on that basis as a result of their appearance?

[@johnreid9959]

Lee Anderson There’s many working class life king labour voters who voted tory for first time in 2019, vote reform in 2024 they’re big to be sneered at

[@johnreid9959]

Diane can’t return she’s not redeemed herself and 2 wrings dint make a right just cos someone’s been racist to her doesn’t excuse her being racist towards others

[@reginaldamoah8608]

She wasn't being racist she wrote that other groups who present as white don't experience racism. That's wrong they do but not in the same way that Black people do. She articulated it in a way that was offensive and she apologised. She didn't express any hatred or advocate any violence so there isn't an equivalency.

[@GuntD-rz1xb]

#ItWasAScam

[@johnreid9959]

More on.. Labour voters and not thinking the working class vote ix worth chasing for labour to get beck

[@jowaz8937]

😂

[@TerriObrien-mi5rx]

Enjoying podcast ladies 😴

[@1milliondogs]

I'm very happy this podcast exists. We need a strong reminder of the rampant double standards that sky news and these insufferable harpies promote on a daily basis.

[@cypherzeromusic]

Sky News - keeping racism alive.

[@twizalot]

Vote REFORM UK🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@mrakronyahoo]

Reform is the new Brexit Party. And we all know how well Brexit turned out!

[@RockdownPlus]

It's basically the NF party.

[@knightyknight5399]

Why???..they are a racist party

[@jayparmar2322]

Please get rid of them I can’t listen to there rubbish

[@billybalfore9875]

God I think Lawrence Fox hit the nail on the head - - - - applicable here - - !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brianferguson7840]

Oh, what did he say. For the benefit of those who fortunately aren't aware of him.

[@stephenball-qo7ug]

sexist this show no men

[@brianferguson7840]

Doesn't need any mansplaining.

[@user-vc7sn6oy3j]

@@brianferguson7840 Spot the limp & emasculated Guardian reader. Btw I admire the way that the woke attempt to destroy people's lives with such compassion - a quality Guardian readers always pride themselves on. 🤣

[@T5Zplayer]

What a load of who cares

[@brianferguson7840]

They care !🤨🤨

[@donalobrien7582]

Eye Do not Believe that People watch what these 3 Say,Think,Do because if they Do they need to get some time in the AIR. PLEASE

[@meltodd4103]

Is English your second language? 🤣

[@31Blaize]

@@meltodd4103His comment would suggest that thinking is even harder for him than English.

[@brianferguson7840]

An interesting juxtaposition of incomprehensible and unacceptable in equal measure !😕

[@gregxxx16]

Brunch of lesbian's

[@bernardglover1859]

have some class greg

[@brianferguson7840]

Honestly ??? That's quite clever/funny !