View source for John McDonnell

{{short description|British politician (born 1951)}}
{{other people}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[The Right Honourable]]
| name             = John McDonnell
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
| image            = Official portrait of Rt Hon John McDonnell MP crop 2.jpg
| caption          = Official portrait, 2021
| office           = [[Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer]]
| leader           = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
| term_start       = 13 September 2015
| term_end         = 5 April 2020
| predecessor      = [[Chris Leslie]]
| successor        = [[Anneliese Dodds]]
| office1          = [[Greater London Council|Deputy Leader of the Greater London Council]]
| leader1          = [[Ken Livingstone]]
| predecessor1     = [[Illtyd Harrington]]
| successor1       = [[Michael Ward (British politician)|Michael Ward]]
| term_start1      = 7 May 1984
| term_end1        = 7 May 1985
| office2          = [[Greater London Council|Chair of the Finance and General Purposes committee]]
| leader2          = [[Ken Livingstone]]
| predecessor2     = Dr Anthony Hart
| successor2       = Alex Mackay
| term_start2      = 11 May 1982
| term_end2        = 21 May 1985
| office3          = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Hayes and Harlington (UK Parliament constituency)|Hayes and Harlington]]
| term_start3      = 1 May 1997
| term_end3        = 
| predecessor3     = [[Terry Dicks]]
| successor3       = 
| majority3        = 12,031 (31.4%)
| office4          = [[Member of the Greater London Council]]<br />for [[Hayes, Hillingdon|Hayes]] and [[Harlington, London|Harlington]]
| term_start4      = 7 May 1981
| term_end4        = 31 March 1986
| predecessor4     = Arthur H. S. Hull
| successor4       = ''Office abolished''
| birth_name       = John Martin McDonnell
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1951|9|8|df=y}}
| birth_place      = [[Liverpool]], England
| death_date       = 
| death_place      = 
| spouse           = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Marilyn Jean Cooper|1971|1987|reason=div}}
* {{marriage|Cynthia Marie Pinto|1995}}
}}
| children         = 3
| party               = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
| otherparty          = [[Socialist Campaign Group]] 
| education        = [[Great Yarmouth Grammar School]]<br />[[St Joseph's College, Ipswich]]<br />Burnley Technical College<ref name=BBC2015>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34245371 |title=A profile of John McDonnell – new shadow chancellor |publisher=BBC News |date=14 September 2015 |access-date=10 January 2018}}</ref>
| alma_mater       = [[Brunel University]]<br />[[Birkbeck, University of London]]
| website          = {{Official website|https://www.john-mcdonnell.net/}}
| signature        = John McDonnell signature.png
| module           = {{listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=John McDonnell addresses crowd at TWT.ogg|title=John McDonnell's voice|type=speech|description=McDonnell addresses the crowd at [[The World Transformed]]<br />Recorded 28 September 2017}}
}}
{{Republicanism sidebar}}
'''John Martin McDonnell''' (born 8 September 1951) is a British [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] politician who served as [[Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer]] from 2015 to 2020. He has been the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Hayes and Harlington (UK Parliament constituency)|Hayes and Harlington]] since [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]].

He formerly had the Labour [[Whip (politics)|whip]] withdrawn and was suspended from the party on 23 July 2024 as a result of voting to scrap the [[two child benefit cap]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Labour suspends seven rebels who voted to scrap two-child benefit cap {{!}} Labour {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/23/labour-mps-vote-to-scrap-two-child-benefit-cap-in-first-rebellion-for-starmer |website=The Guardian |date=23 July 2024 |last=Elgot |first=Jessica}}</ref> McDonnell is on the political left and a member of the [[Socialist Campaign Group]].  

He stood for the position of [[Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party leader]] following [[Tony Blair]]'s resignation in [[2007 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|2007]], but failed to reach the required number of nominations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6660565.stm |title=Brown will enter No 10 unopposed |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=16 May 2007 |access-date=16 May 2007}}</ref> He was a candidate for the party leadership again in [[2010 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|2010]] following [[Gordon Brown]]'s resignation after Labour's [[2010 United Kingdom general election|electoral defeat]],<ref name="mirror1">{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/05/18/labour-mp-john-mcdonnell-to-stand-in-the-leadership-campaign-115875-22268136 |title=Labour MP John McDonnell to stand in the leadership campaign |work=Daily Mirror|date=16 May 2010|access-date=20 May 2010}}</ref> but withdrew in favour of [[Diane Abbott]], feeling that he would be unable to secure enough nominations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://l-r-c.org.uk/news/story/john-mcdonnell-im-withdrawing-from-labour-leadership-race |title=I'm withdrawing from Labour leadership race |last=McDonnell |first=John |publisher=[[Labour Representation Committee (2004)|Labour Representation Committee]] |date=9 June 2010 |access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref>

Alongside [[Jeremy Corbyn]], McDonnell has been seen as a major figure on the left-wing of the party.<ref name="Hall">{{cite book |last=Hall |first=Duncan |title=A2 Government and Politics: Ideologies and Ideologies in Action |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KPhwAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA45 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-4477-3399-7 |pages=45–46|year=2011 }}{{self-published source|date=April 2020}}</ref> After being elected Labour leader in [[2015 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|2015]], Corbyn appointed McDonnell to his [[Shadow Cabinet of Jeremy Corbyn|Shadow Cabinet]] as [[Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer]]. As Shadow Chancellor, McDonnell pledged to increase spending on infrastructure and research, describing his vision for the economy as "socialism with an [[iPad]]".<ref>{{cite news|title=Labour wants 'socialism with an iPad' says McDonnell|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34877475|year=2015|access-date=3 June 2019}}</ref>

==Early life==
McDonnell was born in [[Liverpool]] to a family with an [[Irish Catholic]] background.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joo4w_BwEJs |title=Video |website=www.youtube.com |date=11 October 2019 |access-date=13 November 2020}}</ref> His father, Bob, was a docker who also served as a sergeant in the [[Sherwood Foresters]] during [[World War II]], whilst his mother Elsie worked as a cleaner.<ref name="MaguirePro" /> He moved with his family to his mother's hometown, [[Great Yarmouth]] in [[Norfolk]], when he was very young as his father was unable to find work at the docks; his father became a bus driver and was a branch secretary of the [[Transport and General Workers' Union]]<ref name=BBC2015/><ref name="Bennett">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/sep/26/labourleadership.labour |title=Honest John |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=26 September 2006 |access-date=14 September 2015 |last=Bennett |first=Ronan}}</ref> and his mother worked for [[British Home Stores]].<ref name="MaguirePro" /> McDonnell attended [[Great Yarmouth Charter Academy|Great Yarmouth Grammar School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/shadow-chancellor-shares-memories-of-growing-up-in-great-yarmouth-1-4820510|title=Shadow chancellor shares memories of growing up in Great Yarmouth|last=Dickson|first=Annabelle|website=Great Yarmouth Mercury|date=18 December 2016|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=25 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925044413/http://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/shadow-chancellor-shares-memories-of-growing-up-in-great-yarmouth-1-4820510|url-status=dead}}</ref> McDonnell received a Local Authority grant to attend [[St Joseph's College, Ipswich]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Senior Prospectus|url=https://www.stjos.co.uk/senior/prospectus/senior-prospectus-pdf/|website=St Joseph's College|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626111758/https://www.stjos.co.uk/senior/prospectus/senior-prospectus-pdf/|url-status=dead}}</ref> a [[Roman Catholic]] boarding fee-paying [[independent school]] for boys (now co-educational). "<ref name="MaguirePro">{{cite news |last=Maguire |first=Kevin |title=John McDonnell, the self-made socialist |url=https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/john-mcdonnell-socialist-kevin-maguire-profile |access-date=11 March 2019 |work=Prospect Magazine |date=18 September 2018}}</ref> McDonnell is now irreligious, but refers to himself as a "[[cultural Catholic]]" and is a regular churchgoer.<ref name="MaguirePro" />

McDonnell failed his [[A-level (United Kingdom)|A-level]]s at grammar school, partly due to holding down part-time jobs in bars and a [[bingo hall]].<ref name="MaguirePro" /> Upon leaving education, McDonnell held a series of unskilled jobs. After marrying his first wife, he returned to A-level studies at night school at [[Burnley]] [[Technical College]], and at the age of 23, he moved to [[Hayes, Hillingdon|Hayes]] in Greater London, attended [[Brunel University]], and earned a bachelor's degree in government and politics.<ref name="Brunel">{{cite web |url=http://www.brunel.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/politics-and-history-bsc |title=Politics and History BSc |publisher=[[Brunel University London]] |date=14 September 2015 |access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="BBC News Profile 2001">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/candidates/candidates/3/30804.stm|title=Candidate: John McDonnell |work=BBC News}}</ref> During this period, he helped his wife run a small children's home in Hayes, and was active on behalf of his local community and for [[National Union of Public Employees]]. After completing his master's degree in politics and sociology at [[Birkbeck, University of London]],<ref name="BBC News Profile 2001"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbk.ac.uk/polsoc/ |title=Department of Politics |publisher=Bbk.ac.uk |access-date=20 May 2010}}</ref> he became a researcher and official with the [[National Union of Mineworkers (Great Britain)|National Union of Mineworkers]] from 1977 to 1978, and later the [[Trades Union Congress]] from 1978 until 1982. From 1985 to 1987, McDonnell was head of the policy unit at [[Camden Borough Council]], then chief executive of the Association of London Authorities from 1987 to 1995, and the [[Association of London Government]] from 1995 until 1997.<ref>{{cite web |title=John McDonnell|url=http://www.bbk.ac.uk/about-us/fellows/downloads/john-mcdonnell.pdf |website=bbk.ac.uk |publisher=Birkbeck, University of London |access-date=10 March 2018}}</ref>

==Greater London Council (1981–1986)==
In 1981, McDonnell was elected to the [[Greater London Council]] (GLC) as the member for [[Hayes and Harlington (electoral division)|Hayes and Harlington]]. He became the GLC's chair of finance and deputy leader to [[Ken Livingstone]], who described him as having an "absolute grasp for detail and every year he produced a balanced budget, no borrowing". He was sacked by Livingstone in 1985 over the [[Rate-capping rebellion|strategy to oppose rate-capping]]—[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Margaret Thatcher]]'s government had capped council rates (now called council tax), an action which the GLC had claimed, based on figures calculated by McDonnell, would lead to £135 million in cuts. However, Livingstone claimed in his autobiography to have found that the authority could actually still increase spending and cap the rates; Livingstone said that McDonnell had 'exaggerated' spending figures to support his case that the GLC had to ignore the rates cap, and that he confronted McDonnell, saying "If these figures are right we're going to look like the biggest fucking liars since [[Goebbels]]." McDonnell described Livingstone's account as "complete fiction".<ref>{{cite news |title=Profile: John McDonnell |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5345644.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=11 June 2007 |access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=John McDonnell: unreconstructed on the left, but with allies on the right|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/15/john-mcdonnell-unreconstructed-on-the-left-but-with-allies-on-the-right|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Robert|last=Booth|date=15 September 2015}}</ref>

In an interview with [[Ronan Bennett]] for ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper, McDonnell described his role during this time as being "to translate policies into concrete realities on the ground." He further discussed his performance by indicating, "I was a fairly hard-nosed administrator. We set in train policies for which we were attacked from all sides but are now accepted as mainstream: large-scale investment in public services; raising the issue of Ireland and arguing for a dialogue for peace; equal opportunities; police accountability. We set up a women's committee, an ethnic minorities committee."<ref name="Bennett"/>

==After the GLC (1986–1997)==
Following the abolition of the GLC in 1986, McDonnell was employed as head of the policy unit at [[Camden London Borough Council]]. In 1987, he became Chief Executive of the Association of London Authorities (eventually the [[Association of London Government]]), where he represented all the [[London boroughs]] in their relations with central government and Europe. Having previously unsuccessfully contested [[Hampstead and Highgate]] in [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]], McDonnell fought for his home constituency of Hayes and Harlington at the [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992 general election]], but lost by 53 votes, after three recounts, to the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] incumbent, [[Terry Dicks]]. During the campaign, Dicks sued for [[libel]] over critical material in McDonnell's campaign leaflets; McDonnell settled and paid Dicks damages of £15,000 plus legal costs of £55,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.steveplatt.net/archive/newstatesman/johnmajor/majorpaperboy.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060504110127/http://www.steveplatt.net/archive/newstatesman/johnmajor/majorpaperboy.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 May 2006 |title=Would you sue your paper boy? |first=Steve |last=Platt |work=[[New Statesman]] |date=12 March 1993 |access-date=1 November 2006 }}</ref> McDonnell would later refer to Dicks as a 'stain' on the character of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] and a stain on the Conservative Party, and a 'malignant creature' during his maiden parliamentary speech.<ref name="api.parliament.uk">{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1997/jun/06/governance-of-london-1#1997-06-06T12:10:00Z|title=Governance Of London (Hansard, 6 June 1997)|website=api.parliament.uk}}</ref>

==Parliamentary backbencher (1997–2015)==
When [[Terry Dicks]] then stood down, McDonnell became the MP for Hayes and Harlington at the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]], with 62 per cent of the vote and a majority of over 14,000. He made his [[maiden speech]] in the House of Commons on 6 June 1997, where he notably launched a scathing attack against his predecessor, against parliamentary tradition.<ref name="api.parliament.uk"/> He has been involved in several local community campaigns, including one opposing the expansion of [[Heathrow Airport]] and its impact on local communities. He opposed [[New Labour]] policies of the [[Iraq War]], [[foundation hospitals]], student [[top-up fees]], [[trust school]]s and [[anti-terror laws]]. When Ken Livingstone was elected [[Mayor of London]], as an independent in 2000, he appointed McDonnell to his cabinet with responsibility for local government in London.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/may/23/londonmayor.uk|title=Labour MP joins Livingstone's cabinet|date=23 May 2000|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

===Iraq War===
McDonnell voted against the [[2003 Iraq War]], stating in 2007:{{cquote|I have used every opportunity to oppose the government's alliance with [[George W. Bush|George Bush]] and the [[Occupation of Iraq (2003–2011)|US-led military occupation of Iraq]] which has resulted in the deaths of over 655,000, caused untold human suffering, put at risk the territorial integrity of Iraq, destabilised the entire region, alienated our own Muslim communities and given a huge boost to international terrorism – just as we warned it would.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news |title=How Labour's contenders see the war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/feb/21/iraq.labour|date=21 February 2007|access-date=13 September 2015 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>|sign=|source=}} In October 2006, McDonnell was one of 12 Labour MPs to back [[Plaid Cymru]] and the [[Scottish National Party]]'s call for a [[Iraq Inquiry|parliamentary inquiry into the war in Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6104310.stm|title=Labour MPs who rebelled on Iraq|date=31 October 2006|access-date=31 October 2006|work=BBC News}}</ref>

===Irish Republican Army===
In May 2003, he made controversial comments about the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA), saying:{{cquote|It's about time we started honouring those people involved in the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army campaign|armed struggle]]. It was the bombs and bullets and sacrifice made by the likes of [[Bobby Sands]] that brought Britain to the negotiating table. The peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/may/30/northernireland.devolution |title=MP's 'brave IRA' comments spark outrage |first=Tom |last=Happold |work=The Guardian |date=30 May 2003 |access-date=28 July 2014 |location=London, UK}}</ref>}}

Threatened with expulsion from the Labour Party, he went on to offer a rationale for his comments in an article written for ''The Guardian'' in June 2003 ("Expulsion would be an odd reward for telling hard truths"), stating:{{cquote|Let me be clear, I abhor the killing of innocent human beings. My argument was that republicans had the right to honour those who had brought about this process of negotiation which had led to peace. Having achieved this central objective now it was time to move on. The future for achieving the nationalists' goals is through the political process and in particular through the Northern Ireland Assembly elections ... Irish republicans have to face the fact that the use of violence has resulted in unforgivable atrocities. No cause is worth the loss of a child's life. No amount of political theory will justify what has been perpetrated on the victims of the bombing campaigns.<ref>{{cite web|last=McDonnell|first=John|title=Why I stood up for Bobby Sands|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/jun/03/northernireland.labour|website=The Guardian|date=3 June 2003|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>}}

According to a report in ''[[The Times]]'' published in November 2015, McDonnell had made similar comments at a Labour Committee on Ireland meeting in 1985, before the start of the Northern Ireland peace process. The ''Deptford Mercury'' asserted at the time that McDonnell had suggested there was a role for "the ballot, the bullet and the bomb" in achieving a United Ireland, and joked about "[[kneecapping]]" the "gutless wimp" Labour councillors who had declined to join the meeting.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kennedy |first1=Dominic |title=McDonnell gave his backing to the IRA's bomb campaign |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/mcdonnell-gave-his-backing-to-the-iras-bomb-campaign-cv33kbr2n88 |access-date=27 November 2015 |work=The Times |date=27 November 2015}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

In September 2015, McDonnell apologised on the BBC television programme ''[[Question Time (TV programme)|Question Time]]'' for any offence caused by his remarks on the IRA. He said that his remarks in 2003 had been an attempt to persuade republicans to support the peace process and to afford the IRA the opportunity to disarm without humiliation stating: "There was a real risk of the Republican movement splitting and some of them continuing the armed process."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/18/john-mcdonnell-apologises-for-ira-comment-labour|title=John McDonnell apologises 'from the bottom of my heart' for IRA comment|last1=Watt|first1=Nicholas|last2=Gayle|first2=Damien|date=17 September 2015|website=The Guardian|access-date=28 June 2016}}</ref>

In his study at Hayes, McDonnell has a plaque presented to him by [[Gerry Kelly]] dedicated to the "H-Block Martyrs 1981", referring to those who died during the [[1981 Irish hunger strike]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/mcdonnell |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/mcdonnell |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription|title=John McDonnell interview: is Britain ready for a socialist chancellor?|work=Financial Times}}</ref> A spokesman for McDonnell said the plaque "merely commemorates the peaceful protest in prison, not the prior actions of those involved".<ref>{{cite news|title=John McDonnell defends plaque honouring IRA 'martyrs' in his office|url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/constitution/northern-ireland-assembly/news/93285/john-mcdonnell-defends-plaque-honouring|work=PoliticsHome.com|date=2 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Yorke|first1=Harry|title=John McDonnell continues to display a plaque to IRA terrorists in his study, it emerges|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/03/02/john-mcdonnell-continues-display-plaque-ira-terrorists-study/|work=The Telegraph|date=2 March 2018}}</ref>

===Groups and campaigns in Parliament===
McDonnell is a leading member of several all-party groups within Parliament, including groups representing individual trade unions, such as the [[Public and Commercial Services Union]] (PCS), the [[National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers]] (RMT), the [[Fire Brigades Union]] (FBU), the [[National Union of Journalists]] (NUJ) and justice unions such as [[Napo (trade union)|NAPO]]. He is also a leading member of groups on a wide range of issues such as Britain's Irish community, the [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] community, [[endometriosis]], and [[Kenya]]. McDonnell is a member of the Labour Land Campaign, which advocates introducing a [[land value tax]].<ref>[http://www.labourland.org/ Labour Land Campaign website], labourland.org. Retrieved 21 October 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.john-mcdonnell.net/about_john_mcdonnell|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230154230/http://www.john-mcdonnell.net/about_john_mcdonnell|archive-date=30 December 2015|website=john-mcdonnell.net|title=John McDonnell}}</ref>

McDonnell chairs the [[Labour Representation Committee (2004)|Labour Representation Committee]] (LRC), a left-wing group of Labour activists, local parties, trade unions and MPs that campaigns for the adoption of a raft of socialist policies by the Labour Government. The group was founded on Saturday, 3 July 2004, and currently{{when|date=April 2021}} has more than 800 members and 90 affiliates. He also chairs the Public Services Not Private Profit, an anti-privatisation campaign that brings together sixteen trade unions and several campaigning organisations, such as the [[World Development Movement]], Defend Council Housing and the [[National Pensioners Convention]]. An [[early day motion]] in support of the campaign attracted more than ninety MPs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=30421&SESSION=875 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519013358/http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=30421&SESSION=875 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 May 2006 |title=Early Day Motion |date=29 March 2006 |access-date=1 November 2006 }}</ref> The campaign held a mass rally and lobby of Parliament on 27 June 2006, which was attended by more than 2,000 trade unionists.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/jun/27/publicservices.uk1 |title=Campaigners demand halt to privatisation |first=Hélène |last=Mulholland |date=27 June 2006 |access-date=1 November 2006 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref>

===Economic policy===
In 2006, McDonnell said that "[[Marx]], [[Lenin]] and [[Trotsky]]" were his "most significant" intellectual influences.<ref>{{cite web|title=Labour's manifesto is more Keynesian than Marxist|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/june2017/2017/05/labours-manifesto-more-keynesian-marxist|year=2017}}</ref> Footage emerged of McDonnell in 2013 talking about the [[2008 financial crisis]] and stating, "I've been waiting for this for a generation! We've got to demand systemic change. Look, I'm straight, I'm honest with people: I'm a [[Marxist]]."<ref name=marxist1>{{cite news|title=John McDonnell: I was joking when I celebrated the 2008 economic crash|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-video-labour-marxist-economic-crash-jeremy-corbyn-a7309651.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-video-labour-marxist-economic-crash-jeremy-corbyn-a7309651.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|quote=It was a joke. I also said, The bankers have done more to undermine capitalism than any of the Socialist Worker Party's activities in the last forty years.' I think it was taken as a joke, and if you listen to the tape, people fell about laughing as a result.|year=2016|newspaper=The Independent}}</ref> He was accused of celebrating the [[2008 financial crisis]]; McDonnell denied the allegation and claimed he was joking.<ref name=marxist1 /> During an interview with [[Andrew Marr]] when the footage was played and McDonnell was asked, "Are you a Marxist?", he replied: "I believe there's a lot to learn from reading ''[[Capital: Critique of Political Economy|Kapital]]'', yes of course there is, and that's been recommended not just by me but many others, mainstream economists as well."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Marx Brothers: Jeremy Corbyn joins John McDonnell in praising Communist icon's work|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/08/marx-brothers-jeremy-corbyn-joins-john-mcdonnell-praising-communist/|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 May 2017}}</ref> In 2018, McDonnell attended the Marx 200 conference, where he said, "Marxism is about the freedom of spirit, the development of life chances, the enhancement of democracy."<ref>{{cite web|title=How John McDonnell is leading the surprise rebirth of British Marxism|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2018/05/how-john-mcdonnell-leading-surprise-rebirth-british-marxism|year=2018|access-date=3 June 2019}}</ref> In 2019, McDonnell stated during an interview that Marx's ''Kapital'' is "one of the important analyses of the modern capitalist system".<ref name=capitalism1>{{cite web|title=John McDonnell interview: why capitalism is on borrowed time|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/john-mcdonnell-interview-why-capitalism-is-on-borrowed-time-623x8tz9w|newspaper=The Times|year=2019}}</ref>

====Public services====
McDonnell has consistently opposed the privatisation of public services and chaired the Public Services not Private Profit Campaign launched in 2006 and supported by sixteen trade unions linking up with students, pensioners, health campaigners and the [[World Development Movement]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pcs.org.uk/news/news-archive/public-services-not-private-profit|title=Public services not private profit|work=Public and Commercial Services Union|access-date=28 March 2018|archive-date=28 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102908/https://www.pcs.org.uk/news/news-archive/public-services-not-private-profit|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fbu.org.uk/circular/2006hoc0358dm/re-public-services-not-private-profit-campaign|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329121035/https://www.fbu.org.uk/circular/2006hoc0358dm/re-public-services-not-private-profit-campaign|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 March 2018|title=re: Public services not private profit campaign|website=Fire Brigades Union|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tssa.org.uk/en/Your-union/Your-company/company-headlines.cfm/public-services-not-private-profit-1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329054535/https://www.tssa.org.uk/en/Your-union/Your-company/company-headlines.cfm/public-services-not-private-profit-1|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 March 2018|title=Public Services Not Private Profit|last=Fidler|first=Sue|website=TSSA|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref>

McDonnell is "not supportive of PFI schemes",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo060208/halltext/60208h03.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 8 Feb 2006 (pt 3) |work=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons, Westminster (publications.parliament.uk) |access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref> declaring that he has "opposed every PFI scheme that was proposed".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110324/debtext/110324-0003.htm |title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 24 Mar 2011 (pt 0003) |work=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons, Westminster (publications.parliament.uk) |access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref> In 2006, during the parliamentary debate on the [[Budget resolution|Budget Resolutions]], McDonnell warned against [[Public–private partnership|public-private finance initiatives]] (PFIs), calling for an inquiry:<blockquote>There are numerous examples. I refer hon. Members to the work of Alison Pollock<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/profile/allysonpollock |title=Allyson Pollock |website=The Guardian |access-date=2018-03-28}}</ref> and to the publications by [[Unison (trade union)|Unison]] in recent months, which contain example after example in the public services, health and education where PFI has been used to exploit the public purse, has failed to deliver and has delivered large bonuses and profits to individual company directors. That is why I regret that the Chancellor is going along that line. I would welcome a Government inquiry into PFI, which would probably echo the work done by the [[Public Accounts Committee (United Kingdom)|Public Accounts Committee]] on individual PFI schemes, which has demonstrated their lack of deliverability and cost effectiveness.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo060322/debtext/60322-22.htm |title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 22 Mar 2006 (pt 22) |work=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons, Westminster (publications.parliament.uk)  |access-date=2018-03-28}}</ref></blockquote>

====Tax transparency====
Throughout his time in Parliament, McDonnell has championed the cause of tax justice, hosting the launch of the [[Tax Justice Network]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bccconference.co.uk/speakers/john-mcdonnell-mp/ |title=Rt Hon John McDonnell MP – BCC Conference 2018 |website=www.bccconference.co.uk |access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref>

In 2002, McDonnell worked with William Campbell-Taylor and Maurice Glasman, who challenged a bill concerned with the City of London Corporation in relation to alleged tax avoidance:<blockquote>Apart from a couple of brave, independent-minded Labour MPs, notably John McDonnell, nobody supported Glasman and Campbell-Taylor to challenge the bill. Such is the fear that the corporation inspires in parliament.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newstatesman.com/economy/2011/02/london-corporation-city | title=The tax haven in the heart of Britain |work=newstatesman|access-date=2018-03-28}}</ref></blockquote>

====Bank regulations====
During the 2011 Budget Resolutions, McDonnell highlighted his long-term consistent work calling for better regulation of the banking and finance sector:<blockquote>We seem to forget that the cause of that crisis was the cause of this crisis—speculation by the banks and other speculators and, yes, a Government who failed to regulate. I have to say, however, that when a number of Members called for bank regulation in this House, there was an element of quietude on all sides. I remember fighting for four years, in almost a solitary capacity, to secure the passage of the City of London (Ward Elections) Bill at a time when we were pressing for regulation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110324/debtext/110324-0003.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 24 Mar 2011 (pt 0003)|website=publications.parliament.uk|access-date=2018-03-28}}</ref></blockquote>

====Anti-austerity====
In February 2013, McDonnell was among those who supported the [[People's Assembly Against Austerity]] in a letter published by ''The Guardian''.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/feb/05/people-assembly-against-austerity People's Assembly opening letter], ''The Guardian'', 5 February 2013.</ref>

===Heathrow Airport expansion===
[[File:John McDonnell Grow Heathrow at Court-4.jpg|thumb|McDonnell with opponents of the Heathrow Airport expansion outside Central London County Court, 2012]]
McDonnell has been a vocal opponent of plans to [[Expansion of Heathrow Airport|expand Heathrow Airport]] with a third runway—the proposed site lies within his constituency. During a debate on the expansion of the airport on 15 January 2009, he was [[Suspension from the UK parliament|suspended]] for five days by Deputy Speaker [[Alan Haselhurst]] after disrupting Commons proceedings. McDonnell picked up the [[ceremonial mace]] and placed it down on an empty bench in the Commons while shouting that the lack of a vote on the third runway was "a disgrace to the democracy of this country."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7830937.stm|title=MP suspended after mace protest|work=BBC News|date=15 January 2009|access-date=15 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/jan/15/heathrow|title=Labour MP suspended from Commons over Heathrow protest|first=Andrew|last=Sparrow|work=The Guardian|publisher=[[Guardian News and Media]]|date=15 January 2009|access-date=15 January 2009|location=London, UK}}</ref>

===Armed police and MI5===
In 2015, McDonnell's name appeared on a letter calling for armed police and [[MI5]] to be disbanded. He claimed that he had not signed the letter, which was produced by the Socialist Campaign for a Labour Victory (SCLV), but he was photographed holding a copy of the letter, although he later said that he did not know that the demand was on the letter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/12005431/John-McDonnell-signed-letter-calling-for-MI5-and-armed-police-to-be-disbanded.html|title=John McDonnell signed letter calling for MI5 and armed police to be disbanded|first=Kate|last=McCann|date=19 November 2015|access-date=11 September 2018|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/19/john-mcdonnell-denies-backing-call-to-end-mi5-and-disarm-police|title=John McDonnell denies backing call to end MI5 and disarm police|first1=Rowena|last1=Mason|first2=Frances|last2=Perraudin|date=19 November 2015|website=The Guardian|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref>

===2007 Labour leadership campaign===
{{main|2007 Labour Party leadership election (UK)}}
On 14 July 2006, McDonnell announced his intention to stand for leadership of the Labour Party when [[Tony Blair]] announced the date of his resignation. He called for "a challenge to the present political consensus", and, "a real Labour government based upon the policies that our supporters expect from us". McDonnell said he would like to see a return to the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]'s more traditional areas.

Initially, McDonnell and [[Michael Meacher]] were the two candidates representing the left wing of the party. McDonnell's campaign concentrated on grassroots efforts, which earned him an endorsement from the [[Trades Union Congress]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.john4leader.org.uk/latestnews/0016.html|title=John McDonnell MP: Another World Is Possible|publisher=John4leader.org.uk |access-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907233203/http://www.johnmcdonnell.org.uk/latestnews/0016.html |archive-date=7 September 2008}}</ref> In a [[YouGov]] opinion poll of more than 1,100 Labour Party members asking their preferred choice in the leadership contest, McDonnell received 9% support, and was ranked second to [[Chancellor of the Exchequer|Chancellor]] Gordon Brown, who led with 80% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=David |last2=Isabel |first2=Oakeshott |title=Blair under pressure as Labour faces election rout |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1720004.ece |access-date=28 May 2019 |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=29 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014081917/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1720004.ece |archive-date=14 October 2008}}</ref> Declared supporters included [[Diane Abbott]], [[Tony Benn]], and [[Ann Cryer]]. In total, eleven Labour MPs declared their support on McDonnell's campaign website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.john4leader.org.uk/endorsements.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328215354/http://www.john4leader.org.uk/endorsements.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 March 2007 |title=John McDonnell MP: Another World Is Possible |publisher=John4leader.org.uk |access-date=20 May 2010}}</ref>

Labour Party rules require candidates to be nominated by 12.5% of Labour MPs (45 out of a total of 355 in 2007). Gordon Brown received 313 (88.2%) nominations, while McDonnell failed to collect the 45 nominations required to proceed to the Electoral College. As the only nominated candidate, Gordon Brown was declared leader by the NEC.

===2010 Labour leadership campaign===
{{main|2010 Labour Party leadership election (UK)}}
On 18 May 2010, news broke that McDonnell wanted to stand in the Labour Party leadership election, to be held following the resignation of Gordon Brown, and would announce it the following day at the [[Public and Commercial Services Union]] conference in Brighton. McDonnell noted that it would be "difficult" to get the 33 nominations needed from the [[Parliamentary Labour Party]] required to stand in the election.<ref name="mirror1"/>

During a hustings for the [[GMB Union]] on 7 June, McDonnell was asked what single act he would do to improve the world if he could travel back to the 1980s. His off-the-cuff reply was that "I was on the GLC that Mrs. Thatcher abolished, I worked for the NUM and we had the NUM strike, I think I would assassinate Thatcher."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10263076 |title=John McDonnell apologises for Thatcher 'joke' offence |work=BBC News |date=8 June 2010|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mulholland |first1=Hélène|last2=Stratton |first2=Allegra |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/jun/07/john-mcdonnell-assassinate-thatcher-joke |title=John McDonnell jokes that he would have liked to have assassinated Thatcher |work=The Guardian |date=7 June 2010 |access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref> Conservative MP [[Conor Burns]] told the BBC that "[it was] very distasteful" and "a very silly remark". McDonnell told the BBC: "I'm sorry if I have caused offence to anyone. It was a joke and in that audience it was taken as a joke ... it was taken out of context, I can see if people are upset about that and if I have caused offence to anyone of course I apologise."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/7808953/John-McDonnell-says-he-would-like-to-assassinate-Margaret-Thatcher.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610191401/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/7808953/John-McDonnell-says-he-would-like-to-assassinate-Margaret-Thatcher.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 June 2010|title=John McDonnell says he would like to 'assassinate' Margaret Thatcher|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=7 June 2010|access-date=9 June 2010|location=London, UK}}</ref><ref name=BBCDP_8June2010>{{cite news|title=BBC Daily Politics|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/the_daily_politics/8728299.stm|access-date=21 October 2015|date=8 June 2010}}</ref>

By 9 June 2010, the deadline for nominations, he had secured only 16 nominations and withdrew from the contest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://l-r-c.org.uk/news/story/john-mcdonnell-im-withdrawing-from-labour-leadership-race |title=John McDonnell: I'm withdrawing from Labour leadership race 9th June 2010 |publisher=L-r-c.org.uk |access-date=11 June 2010}}</ref>

==Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (2015–2020)==
[[File:Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, 2016 Labour Party Conference.jpg|thumb|McDonnell after giving his 2016 Labour Party Conference speech, with Labour leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]]]]
McDonnell was one of the thirty-six Labour MPs to nominate [[Jeremy Corbyn]] (who was elected as Labour leader with 59.5% of the vote) as a candidate in the [[2015 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|Labour leadership election of 2015]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/06/who-nominated-who-2015-labour-leadership-election|title=Who nominated who for the 2015 Labour leadership election?|work=New Statesman|date=8 June 2021 }}</ref> McDonnell managed Corbyn's leadership campaign, and he was appointed Shadow Chancellor in September 2015.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Rowena|last1=Mason|first2=Patrick|last2=Wintour|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/13/jeremy-corbyn-shadow-cabinet-andy-burnham-labour|title=John McDonnell appointed shadow chancellor in Corbyn's new frontbench|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London, UK|date=13 September 2015|access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref>

In an article in ''The Guardian'' in the previous month, he set out the economic principles that a Corbyn government would follow:{{blockquote|Let me make it absolutely clear that Labour under Jeremy Corbyn is committed to eliminating the deficit and creating an economy in which we live within our means. ... We accept that cuts in public spending will help eliminate the deficit, but our cuts won't be to the middle-and low-income earners and certainly not to the poor ... alongside deficit elimination, the Corbyn campaign is advocating a fundamental reform of our economic system. This will include the introduction of an effective regulatory regime for our banks and financial sector; a full-blown [[Glass-Steagall]] system to separate day-to-day and investment banking; legislation to replace short-term shareholder value with long-term sustainable economic and social responsibilities as the prime objective of companies; radical reform of the failed auditing regime; the extension of a wider range of forms of company and enterprise ownership and control including public, [[co-operative]] and stakeholder ownership; and the introduction of a financial transactions tax to fund the rebalancing of our economy towards production and manufacturing.<ref name="Comment">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/11/jeremy-corbyn-close-deficit-poor-labour-economy|title=Jeremy Corbyn would clear the deficit – but not by hitting the poor|work=The Guardian|date=11 August 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|last=McDonnell |first=John}}</ref>}}

McDonnell's first speech as Shadow Chancellor was at the 2015 Labour Party conference in [[Brighton]]. In the speech, he set out Labour's thinking and priorities in key areas, as well as encouraging Labour MPs who had refused to serve under Corbyn to return.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34378290 |title=Labour's John McDonnell: Another world is possible |work=BBC News |date=28 September 2015 |access-date=21 October 2015}}</ref>

He surprised many by calling upon Labour MPs to back [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] Chancellor [[George Osborne]]'s Fiscal Charter, arguing that supporting the proposed deficit reduction framework showed Labour's commitment to "living within their means."<ref>{{cite news|title=John McDonnell: Labour will match Osborne and live within our means|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/25/john-mcdonnell-labour-will-match-osborne-and-live-within-our-means|access-date=27 November 2015 |work=The Guardian |date=25 September 2015}}</ref> However, he reversed that call in October, citing his trip to visit former steelworkers at a recently closed plant in [[Redcar]] as the reason for not wanting to be associated with supporting government cuts.<ref>{{cite news |title=McDonnell says fiscal charter U-turn due to meeting Redcar families |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/oct/13/john-mcdonnell-says-fiscal-charter-u-turn-due-to-meeting-redcar-families |access-date=27 November 2015 |work=The Guardian |date=13 October 2015}}</ref> McDonnell repeated the word "embarrassing" five times in his Commons response to the U-turn,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deacon |first1=Michael |title='Embarrassing! Embarrassing! Embarrassing!' Labour's John McDonnell sums up his own U-turn |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/11932423/Embarrassing-Embarrassing-Embarrassing-Labours-John-McDonnell-sums-up-his-own-U-turn.html|access-date=27 November 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=14 October 2015}}</ref> adding that "a bit of humility amongst politicians never goes amiss".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Nigel |title=John McDonnell admits 'embarrassing' U-turn over key economic policy as new Labour leadership hit by first |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-admits-embarrassing-u-turn-over-key-economic-policy-as-new-labour-leadership-hit-by-a6694526.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-admits-embarrassing-u-turn-over-key-economic-policy-as-new-labour-leadership-hit-by-a6694526.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=27 November 2015 |work=The Independent |date=15 October 2015}}</ref>

In a November speech ahead of Osborne's Spending Review, McDonnell pledged that a Labour government would spend 3.5% of GDP on infrastructure and fund research through an Innovation Policy Council, describing his vision for the economy as "socialism with an [[iPad]]".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wintour|first1=Patrick|title=John McDonnell to unveil 'socialism with an iPad' economic plan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/20/john-mcdonnell-to-unveil-socialism-with-an-ipad-economic-plan|access-date=27 November 2015|work=The Guardian|date=20 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Dathan|first1=Matt|title=John McDonnell pledges 'socialism with an iPad' in a Jeremy Corbyn-led Britain|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-pledges-socialism-with-an-ipad-in-a-jeremy-corbyn-led-britain-a6742066.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-pledges-socialism-with-an-ipad-in-a-jeremy-corbyn-led-britain-a6742066.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=27 November 2015|newspaper=Independent|date=20 November 2015}}</ref>

McDonnell has explored ideas surrounding "alternative models of ownership", publishing a report on the subject in June 2017 and hosting a discussion conference in London in February 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/10/john-mcdonnell-says-moving-services-to-public-hands-would-cost-nothing |title=John McDonnell says nationalising services would cost nothing |agency=Press Association |date=10 February 2018 |website=The Guardian |access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref> The report sets out the "practicality and necessity of a shift to a variety of alternative forms of ownership and control of productive enterprises, including co-operatives, municipal and locally-led ownership forms, and ... new democratic forms of national ownership".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsocialist.org.uk/labours-alternative-models-of-ownership-report/|title=Labour's Alternative Models of Ownership Report|date=11 June 2017|work=New Socialist.|access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref>

During his response to the 2015 [[Autumn Statement]] in which he accused [[George Osborne]] of "sheer economic illiteracy", McDonnell highlighted that the government was "selling off at least £5 billion worth of our own assets" to foreign investors, emphasising [[China]].<ref>{{cite news|title=John McDonnell quotes Chairman Mao in Spending Review attack|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34925962|work=BBC News|access-date=25 November 2015}}</ref> To make this point he quoted from a copy of Chairman [[Mao Zedong]]'s ''[[Little Red Book]]'' and then threw it across the despatch box towards the Conservative front bench. A clearly amused Osborne responded by quipping that it was McDonnell's own signed copy.<ref name="Telegraph-12016384">{{cite news|title=John McDonnell quotes from Mao's Communist Little Red Book during Autumn Statement speech|last=Wilkinson|first=Michael|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=25 November 2015|access-date=27 November 2015|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/autumn-statement/12016384/John-McDonnell-quotes-from-Maos-Communist-Little-Red-Book-during-Autumn-Statement-speech.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126010819/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/autumn-statement/12016384/John-McDonnell-quotes-from-Maos-Communist-Little-Red-Book-during-Autumn-Statement-speech.html|archive-date=26 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Guardian_2015-11-25">{{cite news|title=John McDonnell under fire for quoting Mao Zedong in Commons|last=Mason|first=Rowena|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=25 November 2015|access-date=27 November 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/25/john-mcdonnell-mao-zedong-little-red-book-george-osborne|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125221618/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/25/john-mcdonnell-mao-zedong-little-red-book-george-osborne|archive-date=25 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 September 2016, he was appointed to the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom]] and may therefore use the title ''[[The Right Honourable]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/List-of-Business-12-Oct-16-Part-1.pdf|title=Orders of the Privy Council for October 2016|date=12 October 2016|website=Privy Council|publisher=The Privy Council of the United Kingdom|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Parliamentary Launch of the British Sikh Report 2018 with the Rt Hon John McDonnell MP.jpg|thumb|McDonnell with members of the [[Sikhism in the United Kingdom|British Sikh]] community in April 2018]]
In the aftermath of the [[Grenfell Tower fire]], McDonnell said those who died in it were "murdered" by political decisions, arguing "The decision to close fire stations and to cut 10,000 fire fighters and then to freeze their pay for over a decade contributed to those deaths inevitably".<ref name="bbcgrenfell">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40401314 John McDonnell: Grenfell victims 'murdered by political decisions'] ''[[BBC]]''</ref> The use of the word "murder" was questioned by some of his colleagues as well as the Conservative Party, with [[Jim Fitzpatrick (politician)|Jim Fitzpatrick]], leader of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fire Safety suggesting it was "premature" to draw conclusions about what caused the deaths.<ref name="bbcgrenfell" />

McDonnell said that Grenfell "symbolised for many everything that's gone wrong in this country since austerity was imposed upon us" and used it to highlight pay cuts across the public sector, arguing that Conservatives praise the emergency services "every time there's a tragedy" while cutting jobs and wages.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/01/jeremy-corbyn-to-speak-at-london-anti-austerity-march Corbyn tells anti-austerity demo he's 'determined to force new election'] ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/03/damning-government-report-shows-scale-of-public-sector-pay-cuts Damning government report shows depth of public sector pay cuts] ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref>

McDonnell sparked controversy when he joked that Conservative politician [[Esther McVey]] should be [[lynched]] and described her as a "stain on humanity."<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-lynching-personal-abuse-jeremy-corbyn-esther-mcvey-labour-conference-a7328876.html John McDonnell defends comments about Tory minister being 'lynched'], ''The Independent'', 25 September 2016</ref> He said that he was quoting a constituent speaking at a public meeting convened to oppose McVey's policies on benefits and did not endorse the sentiment.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} The [[Leader of the House of Commons]], [[Andrea Leadsom]], called the remark "truly evil."<ref>[https://www.thetimes.com/article/mcdonnells-lynching-rant-condemned-as-truly-evil-jpmmkzq5q McDonnell’s lynching rant condemned as 'truly evil'] ''The Sunday Times'', 15 January 2018</ref>

In 2017, McDonnell said: "I will be the first socialist Labour Chancellor".<ref>{{cite web|title=John McDonnell: 'I will be the first socialist Labour Chancellor'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-first-socialist-labour-chancellor-corbyn-quit-inevitable-a7722271.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-mcdonnell-first-socialist-labour-chancellor-corbyn-quit-inevitable-a7722271.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|date=7 May 2017}}</ref> McDonnell in his ''Who’s Who'' entry posted one of his hobbies as "fermenting [sic] the overthrow of capitalism".<ref name=capitalism1 /> In 2018, McDonnell said that he "wants to "overthrow capitalism" and replace it with a "socialist society"". He also said Venezuela's economic problems were because it was no longer a socialist country.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/05/20/labour-shadow-chancellor-john-mcdonnell-says-job-overthrow-capitalism/ Labour shadow Chancellor John McDonnell says his job is to overthrow capitalism and replace it with a 'socialist society'] ''The Daily Telegraph'', 20 May 2018</ref>{{undue inline|date=July 2024}}

In September 2018, McDonnell said he would only back a second referendum on the European Union if the option to remain is not present.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/24/mcdonnell-new-brexit-referendum-should-not-include-remain-option|title=McDonnell: new Brexit referendum should not include remain option|first1=Peter|last1=Walker|first2=Heather|last2=Stewart|first3=Jessica|last3=Elgot|date=24 September 2018|work=The Guardian}}</ref> He also agreed with shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner, when he suggested a second referendum could lead to social unrest.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/aug/24/mcdonnell-backs-claims-second-brexit-referendum-risks-social-unrest|title=McDonnell backs claim second referendum on Brexit risks unrest|first=Andrew|last=Sparrow|date=24 August 2018|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

In February 2019, McDonnell sparked controversy when he referred to the former Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] as a "villain." Writing on Twitter, [[Boris Johnson]] said: "JM should be utterly ashamed of his remarks and withdraw them forthwith."<ref>{{cite news |title=Winston Churchill: Theresa May says she has portrait of wartime PM in her study amid row over John McDonnell comments |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/winston-churchill-theresa-may-john-mcdonnell-villain-labour-tonypandy-miners-a8779111.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/winston-churchill-theresa-may-john-mcdonnell-villain-labour-tonypandy-miners-a8779111.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Independent |date=15 February 2019}}</ref>

During a comprehensive interview conducted by former Labour Party member [[Alastair Campbell]] for British ''[[GQ]]'' in October 2019, McDonnell stated his disapproval of the former's expulsion from the party and indicated he would support his return. He also expressed his own view that the next party leader should be female, and that the party should employ [[positive discrimination]] to aid that prospect if Jeremy Corbyn were to lose the next general election. When asked to name any current [[Tory]] politician whom he respected, he declined, subsequently stating that he "can't forgive any of them". Campbell followed up by asking the same question about any historic Tories, to which McDonnell replied "No".<ref>{{cite web|title=John McDonnell: Labour should have a female leader if Jeremy Corbyn loses next election {{!}} British GQ| website=[[YouTube]] | date=11 October 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joo4w_BwEJs|access-date=12 October 2019}}</ref>

Upon the election of [[Keir Starmer]] as [[Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Leader of the Labour Party]], McDonnell stood down as Shadow Chancellor and was succeeded by [[Anneliese Dodds]].<ref>{{cite tweet |user=johnmcdonnellMP |author=John McDonnell MP |number=1246373038922379264 |date = 4 April 2020 |title=As I step down as Shadow Chancellor I want to thank all those party members and supporters who have sustained us through the last years with their solidarity. It's been a privilege and honour to serve our movement. Solidarity.}}</ref>

== Return to the backbenches (2020–present) ==
In February 2020, McDonnell met with [[Julian Assange]] at [[HM Prison Belmarsh]].<ref>{{cite news|date=20 February 2020|title=Julian Assange case is the Dreyfus of our age, says John McDonnell|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/feb/20/julian-assange-case-is-the-dreyfus-of-our-age-says-john-mcdonnell|access-date=20 December 2020|work=The Guardian|last=Quinn|first=Ben}}</ref>

He ran a campaign to pass a motion supporting [[proportional representation]] at the 2022 Labour Party conference after it failed in 2021 due to a lack of trade union support.<ref>{{cite web |last=McDonnell |first=John |title=Let's finish what we started last autumn, and ensure the Labour Party backs PR |url=https://labourlist.org/2022/04/lets-finish-what-we-started-last-autumn-and-ensure-the-labour-party-backs-pr/ |access-date=22 May 2022 |website=LabourList |date=20 April 2022 }}</ref>

On 24 February 2022, following the 2022 [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], McDonnell was one of 11 Labour MPs threatened with losing the party whip after they signed a statement by the [[Stop the War Coalition]] which questioned the legitimacy of [[NATO]] and accused the military alliance of "eastward expansion". All 11 MPs subsequently removed their signatures.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wearmouth |first1=Rachel |title=11 Labour MPs threatened with suspension for signing Stop The War letter attacking NATO |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/11-labour-mps-face-suspension-26323193 |access-date=24 February 2022 |work=Mirror |date=24 February 2022}}</ref> McDonnell subsequently joined calls led by the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign for increased arms supplies to Ukraine and criticized those on the left who opposed it.<ref>{{cite web |last=McDonnell |first=John |title=The Ukrainian Question for Socialists |url=https://labourhub.org.uk/2023/02/21/the-ukrainian-question-for-socialists/ |access-date=21 February 2023 |website=LabourHub |date=21 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Stand with Ukraine – UK solidarity statement and call for protests for the anniversary of Russia's invasion |url=https://ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org/2023/02/16/stand-with-ukraine-uk-solidarity-statement-and-call-for-protests-for-the-anniversary-of-russias-invasion/ |access-date=21 February 2023 |website=Ukraine Solidarity Campaign |date=16 February 2023 }}</ref>

In 2023, he criticised [[Keir Starmer]] for allowing members from the party's right wing to become "drunk with power". This came after members of the Labour left had been barred from running as Labour candidates at the next general election and some left wing sitting MPs such as [[Ian Byrne]] were forced to face re-selection by their local constituency parties. It also followed the October 2021 suspension of Jeremy Corbyn from the Labour whip.<ref>{{cite web |title=Keir Starmer's allies purging Labour left, says John McDonnell|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66105250|access-date=29 December 2023 |website=BBC News|date=4 July 2023 }}</ref>

In July 2024, McDonnell campaigned on and voted for a SNP motion to scrap the [[two-child benefit cap]] which he opposed in 2015 when it was introduced under the Conservatives, defying the Labour whip.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Neame |first1=Katie |title=MPs to vote on amendment to King's Speech calling for two-child cap be axed |url=https://labourlist.org/2024/07/labour-kings-speech-two-child-cap-snp-amendment-vote-hoyle/?amp |website=LabourList |date=23 July 2024}}</ref> He was one of seven Labour MPs to do so and as a result had the whip suspended for six months with the other MPs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c978m6z3egno|title=Labour suspends seven rebel MPs over two-child benefit cap|date=23 July 2024 |publisher=BBC News|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/23/labour-mps-vote-to-scrap-two-child-benefit-cap-in-first-rebellion-for-starmer|title=Labour suspends seven rebels who voted to scrap two-child benefit cap|work=The Guardian|accessdate=23 July 2024 |last1=Elgot |first1=Jessica }}</ref> At the end of the six month period, McDonnell and two of the other seven MPs, [[Apsana Begum]] and [[Zarah Sultana]], remained suspended.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Becky |last2=Watson |first2=Iain |date=5 February 2025 |title=Labour readmits four MPs suspended for rebelling |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdd9qgy574eo |access-date=27 September 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref> He and Begum eventually had the whip restored in September 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Sam |date=26 September 2025 |title=Labour readmits McDonnell and Begum after benefit cap rebellion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3yegn3k5vo |access-date=27 September 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

==Political views==

===Economic policy===
McDonnell belongs to the left-wing of the British Labour Party, and is a member of the [[Socialist Campaign Group]], a left-wing [[parliamentary caucus]].<ref name="Hall"/> He describes himself as a [[socialist]] and has stated his intention to be "the first socialist Labour Chancellor".<ref name="auto">{{cite news |title=John McDonnell tells Labour conference nationalisation would cost taxpayer 'absolutely nothing' |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2018-02-10/john-mcdonnell-tells-labour-conference-nationalisation-would-cost-taxpayer-absolutely-nothing |date=10 February 2018 |work=[[ITV News]]}}</ref>

As shadow chancellor of the exchequer from 2015 to 2020, McDonnell developed Labour's economic strategy, which he described as "socialism with an iPad".<ref name="auto"/> In a 2015 article for ''[[The Guardian]]'', McDonnell outlined the economic principles of a potential Corbyn government, including commitments to deficit elimination while protecting middle and low-income earners from cuts. His proposals included introducing "an effective regulatory regime for our banks and financial sector; a full-blown Glass-Steagall system to separate day-to-day and investment banking" and "the introduction of a financial transactions tax to fund the rebalancing of our economy towards production and manufacturing".<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923091756/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/11/jeremy-corbyn-close-deficit-poor-labour-economy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/11/jeremy-corbyn-close-deficit-poor-labour-economy |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-date=23 September 2023 |access-date=12 October 2025 |date=12 August 2015 |title=Jeremy Corbyn would clear the deficit – but not by hitting the poor |first=John |last=McDonnell}}</ref>

McDonnell pledged that a Labour government would spend 3.5% of [[GDP]] on infrastructure and established plans for an Innovation Policy Council.<ref name="auto"/> He has been a long-term advocate for financial transaction taxes, previously campaigning for what he termed a "[[Robin Hood tax]]" on stock market trading.<ref>{{cite news |title=Labour conference: John McDonnell to urge 'Robin Hood tax' |url=https://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/purpose/labour-conference-john-mcdonnell-to-urge-robin-hood-tax/39913.article |date=28 September 2015 |work=Fresh Business Thinking}}</ref>

====Public ownership and nationalisation====
McDonnell has been a prominent advocate for public ownership of key industries and utilities. He published a report titled "Alternative Models of Ownership" in June 2017, which set out "the practicality and necessity of a shift to a variety of alternative forms of ownership and control of productive enterprises, including co-operatives, municipal and locally-led ownership forms, and new democratic forms of national ownership".<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |title=John McDonnell announces water industry will be first example of "the biggest extension of economic democratic rights this country has ever seen" |url=https://labour.org.uk/press/john-mcdonnell-announces-water-industry-will-first-example-biggest-extension-economic-democratic-rights-country-ever-seen/ |date=17 February 2023 |work=[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]}}</ref>

In 2018, McDonnell claimed that nationalising services such as railways would cost taxpayers "absolutely nothing", describing the policy as "cost neutral" because "you would be bringing into public ownership an asset" that would generate income for taxpayers rather than shareholders.<ref name="auto"/> He outlined detailed plans for water industry nationalisation, proposing that services be run by local councils, workers, and customers.<ref name="auto1"/>

===Foreign policy===
McDonnell opposed the deployment of UK forces to Afghanistan,<ref>{{cite web |title= Coalition Against International Terrorism — Deployment of UK Forces to Afghanistan — 1 Nov 2001 at 18:34 |url= https://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2001-11-01&number=48&display=allpossible |website= The Public Whip |access-date= 26 August 2025}}</ref> opposed the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|war in Afghanistan]] itself<ref>{{cite web |last= Sinclair |first= Ian |date= 7 October 2021 |title= BBC Newsnight: How Its Guest Choices Distort the Reality of War |url= https://www.stopwar.org.uk/article/bbc-newsnight-how-its-guest-choices-distort-the-reality-of-war/ |website= Stop the War Coalition |access-date= 26 August 2025}}</ref> and opposed the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] and subsequent [[Iraq War]].<ref name="auto2"/>

====Israel and Palestine====
McDonnell has been a vocal critic of Israeli government policies and supporter of Palestinian rights. In February 2022, during a House of Commons debate, he described Israel as an "apartheid state" based on reports from [[Amnesty International]] and other human rights organisations.<ref>{{cite news |title=John McDonnell brands Israel an apartheid state in speech against BDS ban |url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/john-mcdonnell-brands-israel-an-apartheid-state-in-speech-against-bds-ban/ |date=25 February 2022 |work=Jewish News}}</ref> In December 2024, he called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to the UK and advocated for "total isolation of Israel" to bring about "some form of negotiated settlement".<ref>{{cite news |title=UK lawmaker calls for expulsion of Israeli ambassador |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-lawmaker-calls-for-expulsion-of-israeli-ambassador/3444898 |work=[[Anadolu Agency]]}}</ref>

McDonnell has defended activists from [[Palestine Action]], criticising the use of counter-terrorism powers against what he described as mostly young people protesting arms sales to Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Government shouldn't ban Palestine Action says John McDonnell |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/politics/government-shouldnt-ban-palestine-action-says-john-mcdonnell-sp02a6u6 |date=17 December 2024 |work=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]}}</ref> He has consistently opposed British arms sales to Israel, particularly components for F-35 fighter jets.<ref>{{cite web |title=John McDonnell's contribution to the Westminster Hall debate on Israel and Palestine |url=https://www.john-mcdonnell.net/news/2024/12/18/john-mcdonnells-contribution-to-the-westminster-hall-debate-on-israel-and-palestine/ |work=John McDonnell MP}}</ref>

===European Union and Brexit===
McDonnell's position on European Union membership has evolved over time. In a 2024 interview, he described himself as "relatively agnostic" on EU membership, noting he had voted against joining the [[European Economic Community]] in the original referendum but had since treated the issue "with almost a matter of relative indifference".<ref>{{cite web |title=Brexit Witness Archive - John McDonnell |url=https://ukandeu.ac.uk/brexit-witness-archive/john-mcdonnell/ |date=1 February 2024 |work=UK in a Changing Europe}}</ref>

Following the 2016 Brexit referendum, McDonnell pledged that Labour would "never vote to send home" EU citizens living in Britain, stating "we're not that kind of people".<ref>{{cite news |title=John McDonnell To EU Migrants: We Won't Send You Back Home After Brexit |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyashton/john-mcdonnell-to-eu-migrants |date=1 July 2016 |work=[[BuzzFeed]]}}</ref> In June 2017, he confirmed that a Labour government would take the UK out of the EU's single market, arguing that remaining in it would not "respect the referendum result", while seeking "tariff-free access" to the economic bloc for a "jobs first" Brexit.<ref>{{cite news |title=John McDonnell: Pro-Brexit Labour will take UK out of EU's single-market |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/john-mcdonnell-pro-brexit-labour-will-take-uk-out-eus-single-market-1625757 |date=11 June 2017 |work=[[International Business Times]]}}</ref>

In September 2018, McDonnell stated he would only support a second EU referendum if the option to remain was not included, expressing concerns that such a referendum could lead to social unrest.<ref>{{cite news |title=John McDonnell |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McDonnell |work=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref>

===Housing and social policy===
McDonnell has been a prominent advocate for rent controls and expanded tenants' rights. He has called for rent freezes and supported proposals that would give private sector tenants the right to purchase their homes at below-market prices.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prominent Labour MP wants rent controls to aid economic recovery |url=https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2022/3/prominent-labour-mp-wants-rent-controls-to-aid-economic-recovery |work=Landlord Today}}</ref> During the COVID-19 pandemic, he advocated for the cancellation of rent arrears and extending eviction bans by at least a year, arguing that "housing should be a right for all, not an investment opportunity for a few".<ref>{{cite news |title=Cancel rent arrears and extend evictions ban by a year, says McDonnell |url=https://labourlist.org/2020/08/cancel-rent-arrears-and-extend-evictions-ban-by-a-year-says-mcdonnell/ |date=17 August 2020 |work=[[LabourList]]}}</ref>

McDonnell has consistently advocated for large-scale council house building programmes and has criticised the [[Right to Buy]] policy, describing the council house sell-off as "a major factor in creating the housing crisis".<ref>{{cite news |title=John McDonnells contribution to the Renters (Reform) Bill |url=https://www.john-mcdonnell.net/news/2023/10/25/john-mcdonnells-contribution-to-the-renters-reform-bill/ |work=John McDonnell MP}}</ref>

===Environmental policy===
McDonnell has been a leading advocate for what he terms a "Green Industrial Revolution". In a 2019 essay for [[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]], he argued that environmental and social justice are inextricably linked, stating that "our socialism is about liberation from a system that pits better lives for humankind against the well-being of our natural surroundings".<ref>{{cite news |title=A Green New Deal for the UK |url=https://jacobin.com/2019/05/john-mcdonnell-labour-green-industrial-revolution |work=[[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]]}}</ref>

As Shadow Chancellor, McDonnell supported Labour's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and public ownership of the energy sector.<ref>{{cite news |title=Corbyn among Labour MPs telling new leadership to back Green New Deal |url=https://labourlist.org/2020/06/corbyn-among-labour-mps-telling-new-leadership-to-back-green-new-deal/ |date=25 June 2020 |work=[[LabourList]]}}</ref> He has proposed controversial measures including delisting companies with poor environmental credentials from the [[London Stock Exchange]] and creating a Sustainable Investment Board to oversee private investment decisions.<ref>{{cite news |title=City voices anger at John McDonnell's 'financial totalitarianism' climate change plans |url=https://www.cityam.com/city-anger-at-john-mcdonnells-financial-totalitarianism-climate-change-plans/ |date=25 June 2019 |work=City AM}}</ref>

===Basic income===
McDonnell has expressed support for [[universal basic income]] policies. In 2014, he hosted a session on citizen's income and commissioned economist [[Guy Standing (economist)|Guy Standing]] to produce a report titled "Piloting Basic Income as Common Dividends" for Labour Party consideration.<ref>{{cite web |title=United Kingdom: Basic income supporter John McDonnell becomes shadow chancellor |url=https://basicincome.org/news/2015/09/uk-shadow-chancellor-john-mcdonnell/ |work=Basic Income Earth Network}}</ref> The report proposed giving every adult citizen £100 per week unconditionally, though McDonnell clarified that Labour was not committed to implementing the policy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Basic Income Topic: John McDonnell |url=https://basicincome.org/topic/john-mcdonnell/ |work=Basic Income Earth Network}}</ref>

===Personal political philosophy===
When asked if he was a [[Marxist]] in an [[LBC]] interview with [[Iain Dale]], McDonnell replied: {{blockquote|"I describe myself as a [[socialism|socialist]]. I think I'm in the tradition of the [[Clement Attlee|Attlee]] government".<ref>{{cite web |title=Iain Dale pushes John McDonnell on whether he is a Marxist |date=6 November 2019 |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/iain-dale/iain-dale-pushes-john-mcdonnell-marxist/ |publisher=[[LBC]]}}</ref> }}

However, McDonnell has also made more radical statements about his political objectives. In a 2018 interview, he stated that he "wants to overthrow capitalism and replace it with a socialist society".<ref name="auto"/> In 2006, he stated that "Marx, Lenin and Trotsky" were his "most significant" intellectual influences.<ref>{{cite news |title=John McDonnell Stole the Labour Conference |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/john-mcdonnell-stole-the-labour-conference/ |date=27 July 2024 |work=[[Vice Media|Vice]]}}</ref>

==Personal life==
McDonnell has two daughters from his first marriage, which ended in 1985,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/sep/26/labourleadership.labour|title=Honest John|date=26 September 2006|access-date=26 September 2016|first=Ronan|last=Bennett|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London, UK}}</ref> and a son<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/jul/14/labour.uk2|title=Who is John McDonnell?|date=14 July 2006|access-date=10 January 2007|first=Hélène|last=Mulholland|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London, UK}}</ref> from his second marriage to Cynthia Pinto in 1995.<ref name="BBC News Profile 2001"/>

In 2013, McDonnell suffered a heart attack and was forced to take time off work.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/15/john-mcdonnell-unreconstructed-on-the-left-but-with-allies-on-the-right|title=John McDonnell: unreconstructed on the left, but with allies on the right|first=Robert|last=Booth|date=15 September 2015|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref>

While raised as a [[Roman Catholic]] and attending a [[minor seminary]], McDonnell now identifies as an [[atheist]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/11399/john-mcdonnell-acknowledges-debt-to-catholicism |title=John McDonnell acknowledges debt to Catholicism |website=The Tablet |access-date=4 November 2019}}</ref> Despite this McDonnell still respects the Church and acknowledges that he owes a "debt" to it for shaping his politics, later saying "The values of Catholicism are the inherent values of the Labour Party and the inherent values of socialism".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/11399/john-mcdonnell-acknowledges-debt-to-catholicism |title=John McDonnell acknowledges debt to Catholicism |website=The Tablet}}</ref>

===Interview under police caution===

On 19 January 2025, McDonnell, alongside [[Jeremy Corbyn]], agreed to be interviewed under caution by police following a pro-Palestinian rally in central London. The Metropolitan Police said they witnessed a "deliberate effort, including by protest organisers" to breach conditions that had been imposed on the event. However, it is unclear as to the specific reasons as to why McDonnell was invited to an interview.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clykrvp1g83o | title=Corbyn and McDonnell face police interview after pro-Palestinian rally | date=19 January 2025 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Economics for the Many]]''
*[[Labour Representation Committee (2004)|Labour Representation Committee]]
*[[Socialist Campaign Group]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{commons category|John McDonnell}}
*[http://www.john-mcdonnell.net/ John McDonnell MP] ''official constituency website''
*{{UK MP links | parliament = john-mcdonnell/178 | guardian = 3825/john-mcdonnell | publicwhip = John_Martin_McDonnell | theywork = john_martin_mcdonnell | bbc = 25474.stm }}
*{{Twitter}}
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930224050/http://www.epolitix.com/EN/MPWebsites/John%2BMcDonnell/ Website]}} at ePolitix
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060722113325/http://www.publicnotprivate.org.uk/ Public Services Not Private Profit]
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66105250]

;Historical
*{{UK MP links | hansard = mr-john-mcdonnell | hansardcurr = 1799 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061117154447/http://www.john4leader.org.uk/ John4Leader] ''official 2007 Leader campaign website''
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120306204241/http://www.john-mcdonnell.co.uk/ John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes & Harlington] ''official 2010 Leader campaign website''
*{{YouTube|o6w03WO-HB8|John McDonnell MP, Rally Against Military Intervention in Iran and Syria, Stop The War Coalition}}
*{{YouTube|t0tsnObvVHg|John McDonnell MP – Against Islamophobia}}
*{{YouTube|0Asuqx_Gzec|John McDonnell MP – Speaking at Ceasefire Now demonstration in London}}
*[http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=16245&st=17%3A37%3A24.8900000 Speech by John McDonnell during Modern Slavery Bill debate in the House of Commons]

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{{s-ttl|title=[[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Hayes and Harlington (UK Parliament constituency)|Hayes and Harlington]]|years=1997–present}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Chris Leslie]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer]]|years=2015–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Anneliese Dodds]]}}
{{s-end}}{{Independent MPs in the United Kingdom}}{{Shadow Chancellors of the Exchequer}}{{Labour Party leadership election, 2007}}
{{2010 Labour Party leadership election}}
{{Socialist Campaign Group}}
{{Portalbar|United Kingdom|Socialism}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McDonnell, John}}
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alumni of Birkbeck, University of London]]
[[Category:Alumni of Brunel University London]]
[[Category:British anti-capitalists]]
[[Category:British Marxists]]
[[Category:British religious sceptics]]
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[[Category:British women's rights activists]]
[[Category:European democratic socialists]]
[[Category:English atheists]]
[[Category:English Marxists]]
[[Category:English anti-fascists]]
[[Category:English anti–Iraq War activists]]
[[Category:English people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:English republicans]]
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[[Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies]]
[[Category:Left-wing politics in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Members of the Greater London Council]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:People educated at Great Yarmouth Grammar School]]
[[Category:People educated at St Joseph's College, Ipswich]]
[[Category:Politicians from Liverpool]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1997–2001]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2001–2005]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2005–2010]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2010–2015]]
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[[Category:Universal basic income in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East]]
[[Category:Socialist Campaign Group]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2024–present]]
[[Category:Independent members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom]]