“Leaders play an important role, but it is the Labour party's supporters and potential supporters who should take the lead in discussing and determining the sense of purpose and direction of the party if we are to return to being a social movement aiming to transform our society.”

British Labour Party politician

John McDonnell is a British Labour Party politician. Born in 1951, he has served as the Member of Parliament for Hayes and Harlington since 1997 and was Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2015 to 2020. He is known for his long parliamentary career and for his role in Labour’s leadership on economic policy during those years. His public statements often reflect politics, government, and the direction of the economy.