John McDonnell

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Template:Short description Template:Other people Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox officeholder Template:Republicanism sidebar John Martin McDonnell (born 8 September 1951) is a British Labour Party politician who served as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2015 to 2020. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hayes and Harlington since 1997.

He formerly had the Labour whip withdrawn and was suspended from the party on 23 July 2024 as a result of voting to scrap the two child benefit cap.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>Template:Cite web</ref> McDonnell is on the political left and a member of the Socialist Campaign Group.

He stood for the position of Labour Party leader following Tony Blair's resignation in 2007, but failed to reach the required number of nominations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was a candidate for the party leadership again in 2010 following Gordon Brown's resignation after Labour's electoral defeat,<ref name="mirror1">Template:Cite web</ref> but withdrew in favour of Diane Abbott, feeling that he would be unable to secure enough nominations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Alongside Jeremy Corbyn, McDonnell has been seen as a major figure on the left-wing of the party.<ref name="Hall">Template:Cite bookTemplate:Self-published source</ref> After being elected Labour leader in 2015, Corbyn appointed McDonnell to his 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>Template:Cite news</ref>

Early life

McDonnell was born in Liverpool to a family with an Irish Catholic background.<ref>Template:Cite web</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">Template:Cite news</ref> and his mother worked for British Home Stores.<ref name="MaguirePro" /> McDonnell attended Great Yarmouth Grammar School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> McDonnell received a Local Authority grant to attend St Joseph's College, Ipswich,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a Roman Catholic boarding fee-paying independent school for boys (now co-educational). "<ref name="MaguirePro">Template:Cite news</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-levels 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 in Greater London, attended Brunel University, and earned a bachelor's degree in government and politics.<ref name="Brunel">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="BBC News Profile 2001">Template:Cite 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>Template:Cite web</ref> he became a researcher and official with the 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>Template:Cite web</ref>

Greater London Council (1981–1986)

In 1981, McDonnell was elected to the Greater London Council (GLC) as the member for 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 strategy to oppose rate-capping—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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</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, McDonnell fought for his home constituency of Hayes and Harlington at the 1992 general election, but lost by 53 votes, after three recounts, to the 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>Template:Cite web</ref> McDonnell would later refer to Dicks as a 'stain' on the character of the House of Commons and a stain on the Conservative Party, and a 'malignant creature' during his maiden parliamentary speech.<ref name="api.parliament.uk">Template:Cite web</ref>

Parliamentary backbencher (1997–2015)

When Terry Dicks then stood down, McDonnell became the MP for Hayes and Harlington at the 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 schools 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>Template:Cite news</ref>

Iraq War

McDonnell voted against the 2003 Iraq War, stating in 2007:Template:Cquote In October 2006, McDonnell was one of 12 Labour MPs to back Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party's call for a parliamentary inquiry into the war in Iraq.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Irish Republican Army

In May 2003, he made controversial comments about the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), saying:Template:Cquote

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:Template:Cquote

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>Template:Cite news Template:Subscription required</ref>

In September 2015, McDonnell apologised on the BBC television 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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</ref> A spokesman for McDonnell said the plaque "merely commemorates the peaceful protest in prison, not the prior actions of those involved".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</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. He is also a leading member of groups on a wide range of issues such as Britain's Irish community, the Punjabi community, endometriosis, and Kenya. McDonnell is a member of the Labour Land Campaign, which advocates introducing a land value tax.<ref>Labour Land Campaign website, labourland.org. Retrieved 21 October 2015.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

McDonnell chairs the 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 currentlyTemplate:When 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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</ref>

Economic policy

In 2006, McDonnell said that "Marx, Lenin and Trotsky" were his "most significant" intellectual influences.<ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</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 Kapital, yes of course there is, and that's been recommended not just by me but many others, mainstream economists as well."<ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

McDonnell is "not supportive of PFI schemes",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> declaring that he has "opposed every PFI scheme that was proposed".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2006, during the parliamentary debate on the Budget Resolutions, McDonnell warned against public-private finance initiatives (PFIs), calling for an inquiry:

There are numerous examples. I refer hon. Members to the work of Alison Pollock<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and to the publications by 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 on individual PFI schemes, which has demonstrated their lack of deliverability and cost effectiveness.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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>Template:Cite web</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:

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>Template:Cite web</ref>

Bank regulations

During the 2011 Budget Resolutions, McDonnell highlighted his long-term consistent work calling for better regulation of the banking and finance sector:

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>Template:Cite web</ref>

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>People's Assembly opening letter, The Guardian, 5 February 2013.</ref>

Heathrow Airport expansion

McDonnell with opponents of the Heathrow Airport expansion outside Central London County Court, 2012

McDonnell has been a vocal opponent of plans to 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 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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2007 Labour leadership campaign

Template:Main 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'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>Template:Cite web</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 Gordon Brown, who led with 80% of the vote.<ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</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

Template:Main 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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=BBCDP_8June2010>Template:Cite news</ref>

By 9 June 2010, the deadline for nominations, he had secured only 16 nominations and withdrew from the contest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (2015–2020)

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 Labour leadership election of 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> McDonnell managed Corbyn's leadership campaign, and he was appointed Shadow Chancellor in September 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In an article in The Guardian in the previous month, he set out the economic principles that a Corbyn government would follow:Template:Blockquote

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>Template:Cite news</ref>

He surprised many by calling upon Labour MPs to back 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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</ref> McDonnell repeated the word "embarrassing" five times in his Commons response to the U-turn,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> adding that "a bit of humility amongst politicians never goes amiss".<ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Guardian_2015-11-25">Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</ref>

McDonnell with members of the 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">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, 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>Corbyn tells anti-austerity demo he's 'determined to force new election' The Guardian</ref><ref>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>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.Template:Citation needed The Leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, called the remark "truly evil."<ref>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>Template:Cite web</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>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>Template:Undue inline

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>Template:Cite news</ref> He also agreed with shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner, when he suggested a second referendum could lead to social unrest.<ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</ref>

Upon the election of Keir Starmer as Leader of the Labour Party, McDonnell stood down as Shadow Chancellor and was succeeded by Anneliese Dodds.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>

Return to the backbenches (2020–present)

In February 2020, McDonnell met with Julian Assange at HM Prison Belmarsh.<ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</ref> He and Begum eventually had the whip restored in September 2025.<ref>Template:Cite 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">Template:Cite 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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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">Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</ref> opposed the war in Afghanistan itself<ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite 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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</ref> He has consistently opposed British arms sales to Israel, particularly components for F-35 fighter jets.<ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</ref>

Environmental policy

McDonnell has been a leading advocate for what he terms a "Green Industrial Revolution". In a 2019 essay for 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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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 to produce a report titled "Piloting Basic Income as Common Dividends" for Labour Party consideration.<ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal political philosophy

When asked if he was a Marxist in an LBC interview with Iain Dale, McDonnell replied: Template:Blockquote

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>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

McDonnell has two daughters from his first marriage, which ended in 1985,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and a son<ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</ref>

While raised as a Roman Catholic and attending a minor seminary, McDonnell now identifies as an atheist.<ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

References

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Historical

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