“When I left school I went onto the shop floor, working 12-hour shifts in a TV factory. My workmates were sharp, skilled and all capable of enjoying higher education - but they didn't have that opportunity.”

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.