Diane Abbott, Britain’s first Black woman MP, joined Afua Hirsch to discuss her powerful new memoir, A Woman Like Me. The book tells the story of Britain through Abbott’s eyes, from her upbringing in 1960s North London as the daughter of Windrush generation parents to making history at Cambridge University and, later, in Parliament. Abbott’s journey is one of breaking barriers and championing vital causes, including increasing education access for Black children, opposing the Iraq war, and advocating for the rights of refugees and immigrants.

Despite her trailblazing achievements, Abbott’s path has been fraught with challenges, enduring relentless media scrutiny and exclusion from the political establishment, even within her own party. With candid reflections and wry humour, her memoir celebrates a life defined by courage, conviction, and an extraordinary legacy. Presented in association with the Black British Book Festival, the conversation highlighted the profound impact of Abbott’s work and her unwavering dedication to justice and equality.