John McDonnell

Producing more reams of detailed policies that have marginal and limited effects on our society is futile.

— John McDonnell

I call a spade a shovel, straightforward. If I disagree with someone, I tell them.

— John McDonnell

When I had the heart attack I had one stent inserted, which was great.

— John McDonnell

Millions of people feel ignored by the political establishment.

— John McDonnell

Very clearly, government investment can and should be used to support economic growth.

— John McDonnell

Only the political process offers the real prospect of a united Ireland at peace with itself.

— John McDonnell

What Gramsci is all about is hegemony: you win the battle of ideas and it dominates.

— John McDonnell

In terms of mainstream media it's very difficult to break through if you're on the left.

— John McDonnell

If we need more demand in the economy then protect people in work and raise the incomes of those on low incomes…

— John McDonnell

If the government is injecting public money, it should also take the right to oversee board appointments, executive pay, and future business…

— John McDonnell

Heathrow expansion is an object lesson in the dominance of a rapacious sector of industry over government decision-making.

— John McDonnell

To be effective in tackling poverty wages, a living wage has to be mandatory and basic trade union rights should be restored…

— John McDonnell

I made the case for public ownership in 'Another World is Possible' - a manifesto for 21st-century socialism - as it is…

— John McDonnell

There's something in people's character, particularly the British character, about unfairness. They don't like it.

— John McDonnell

When I left school I went onto the shop floor, working 12-hour shifts in a TV factory. My workmates were sharp, skilled…

— John McDonnell

From nuclear waste to Northern Rock and Metronet, risk is never transferred to the private sector - the state will always be…

— John McDonnell

There'll be creative business leaders but actually, when it comes down to it, they can't do anything unless they're part of a…

— John McDonnell

Our supporters just want a Labour government. They want a Labour government that does what Labour governments are expected to do. They…

— John McDonnell

Politicians have patronised and talked down to us all when it comes to our economy, but ordinary working people have to manage…

— John McDonnell

When you're in the depths of a recession, that isn't the time when people want to challenge the system, they're too busy…

— John McDonnell

Leaders play an important role, but it is the Labour party's supporters and potential supporters who should take the lead in discussing…

— John McDonnell

The New Labour political elite has long conspired to secure a so-called 'smooth transition' for Blair's successor. This would amount to little…

— John McDonnell

Heathrow is in my constituency and I have been at both the Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 planning inquiries. At these inquiries…

— John McDonnell

I sneaked into an Everton match once. I'm a Liverpool supporter, but Liverpool were away, Liverpool reserves weren't playing, there wasn't even…

— John McDonnell

Well organised displays of spontaneous support is one of the New Labour machine's specialities.

— John McDonnell

I've always said the left needs to be ready for government.

— John McDonnell

We believe that leaders should be following the masses. We only ran in leadership campaigns to get our ideas across, to use…

— John McDonnell

You've got to demonstrate you're capable of developing policies but, more importantly, you're capable of implementing them.

— John McDonnell

It may sound corny in a cynical age but literally generations of our people have given much of their lives to establishing…

— John McDonnell

When governments fail us, what else can people do except take to direct action? When corporate power can so dominate government policy-making…

— John McDonnell

The plundering for profit of the world's natural resources has threatened the very sustainability of the planet.

— John McDonnell

Tightening up border and immigration controls go nowhere in addressing the underlying causes of terrorism in our society and in our world.

— John McDonnell

The assertion that the war in Iraq has had no role in increasing the terrorist threat to Britain is clearly just intellectually…

— John McDonnell

My ambition is to learn to play the trombone. My wife pulls my leg about it. I'll find time, my neighbours might…

— John McDonnell

I do not want to be associated with those that are willing to support undermining the basic human rights that socialists have…

— John McDonnell

If corporations and rich people who made fortunes out of us during the boom are not paying their fair share then reform…

— John McDonnell

Our objectives are socialist. That means an irreversible shift in the balance of power and wealth in favour of working people.

— John McDonnell

I've always honestly and openly said I believe in a united Ireland, but the point was to try and get to a…

— John McDonnell

Parties don't lose overnight, there is a gradual erosion of their base and electoral machine, which leads to sometimes cataclysmic defeat.

— John McDonnell

Getting political representation is important, but change comes through using direct action, campaigning, and trade unions.

— John McDonnell