John McDonnell decides to stand for Labour Party leadership

We have long stated that there is no fundamental difference between Blair and Brown. That is why we welcome the decision of John McDonnell, Labour MP, to stand for the leadership as the candidate of the left. We also reproduce John McDonnell's full statement on his stand.

Tony Blair has been on his last legs for some time. He has now become a liability to the Labour Party and he has also lost the ability to convince the workers of this country that his programme can solve all the accumulated problems inherited from the Tories. He has done nothing but continue in their footsteps.

Now Brown is preparing to take over. But apart from a small change in the clique at the top of the party, this would represent no fundamental change. With Blair or Brown as leader the Labour Party is staring defeat in the face. Labour might scrape through with a very much reduced majority, or it could even lose the next elections.

The ruling class of Britain is already preparing for this scenario and preparing to bring back its "first eleven". The only way of avoiding this is for the Labour Party to radically change its policies and start talking about a socialist programme. If the leaders of the Labour Party were to radically turn to the left they could regain all the ground that Blair has lost. If the workers saw a genuine fighting leadership they would flock back to the party.

So what is needed is to galvanise the left within the party, build a clear point of reference on the left. The right wing of the party, the Blairites are so cynical, that they would be prepared to see the party destroyed. They have used it to carry out the policies dictated by big business. Once they see they have no more use for it they will discard it like an old rag.

But whereas these people can move on to nicely paid jobs elsewhere or retire on fat pensions, working class people do not have that option. That is why all genuine socialists welcome the announcement today that left wing Labour MP John McDonnell intends to put his name forward as a candidate for leader of the party when Blair hands in his cards.

According to the BBC news website:

"The chairman of his constituency party, Peter McDonald, told BBC News the candidacy would ensure an ‘open and fair fight, not a coronation'."

"This is not a move against Tony Blair - it's a move against New Labour and the way it's formed at the moment," he said.

"We've had no debate. We in the party have felt very disenfranchised." (BBC News 13 July)

Socialist Appeal has long argued that the Left in the party and in the unions needs to mobilise in an organised way against Blair and his intended successor Brown without delay. The replacement of ‘Bomber Blair' with ‘Nuke ‘em Brown' is no change at all.

In the editorial from the current edition of Socialist Appeal we comment as follows: "There is a rising tide of opposition to Brown's succession. What an ideal opportunity to raise socialist policies throughout the labour movement. The left now needs a credible candidate... the forthcoming national conference of the LRC would be an ideal springboard for a campaign... for a candidate committed to socialist policies."

John McDonnell has a record of consistent opposition to the Blairite agenda, and is considered one of the most rebellious Labour MPs. Going against the stream, he has defended the idea of nationalisation and has come out in defence of workers' struggles, both in Britain and internationally. For example, while Blair has backed the reactionary oligarchy in Venezuela, John McDonnell has openly backed the Hands Off Venezuela campaign, being a member of its national steering committee.

He would therefore represent an excellent choice and would certainly give Brown, or any other Blairite who decides to have a go, a good run for their money. Given the present state of the party, Brown may still be favourite to win. The parliamentary group is dominated by Blairites (or Brownites). The trade union vote would most likely line up behind Brown.

But, as we have said, Brown would make no fundamental difference. Very soon the ranks of the party will be looking for someone to save them from the disaster that impends. Brown is not the man to do that. John McDonnell is.

A credible left candidate would allow for a serious alternative campaign to be launched within the party. Even if it does not win first time round it could be used to gather all the healthy left forces within the party and prepare for the future. It would lay down a marker, give hope to the many party and union activists (along with the countless thousands of lost Labour voters) that the party can be reclaimed and open up a new period of debate and challenge inside the movement on the direction it must now take.

That is why we fully back John's decision to stand. Now his campaign must be taken into every constituency, every ward Labour Party, and every trade union branch and workplace. The case for socialism must be made strongly. From this we can start to rebuild the left of the Labour Party and win back the party that was built by the workers in the first place.

John McDonnell's statement

"It is becoming increasingly apparent that Tony Blair will announce his resignation as leader of the Labour party over the next 12 -18 months.

Some have argued that instead of an open democratic election for the leader of the party, there should be a smooth transition or virtual coronation of his successor.

This would deny party members the opportunity of openly debating the issues facing our party and the future direction of the country.

An election for the leader of the party will allow for a democratic debate on the future of Labour.

Therefore, following increasing demands from various sections of the movement, I have decided to declare myself as a candidate for the leadership of the Labour party as soon as the present incumbent retires.

To be clear this is not a so-called 'stalking horse' candidature but a serious challenge for the leadership of the party when a vacancy occurs.

I am standing to ensure that thousands of Labour party members and supporters have the chance to participate in deciding not only who should be the next leader of our party but more importantly what policies the party should be pursuing.

There are many that feel the party has lost its way. Many of the policies being pursued in government have broken up the broad coalition of support Labour has relied upon throughout its history to bring it to power.

New Labour has systematically alienated section after section of our supporters - teachers, health workers, students, pensioners, public service workers, trade unionists and people committed to the environment, civil liberties and peace. Spin and allegations of sleaze are causing decent people to lose trust in our party.

This is reflected in lost votes, lost elections, lost members and a Labour prime minister having to rely upon Conservative votes in parliament to force through legislation.

There are growing calls from across the party for change. We need to rebuild a progressive consensus, inspiring and giving people hope that another world is possible. We need those who have turned away from Labour to come back home.

For the first time in decades people no longer feel they have a political voice. This campaign is a challenge to the present political consensus.

I will now seek support from all sections of the movement. At next Saturday's conference of the Labour representation committee we will debate the policies needed by a real Labour government and the way in which we can reinvigorate democratic participation in the party.

From September this campaign will be travelling the country, convening meetings face to face with party members, supporters and the general public to discuss the issues facing us. We will be urging those thousands of Labour party members who have left the party to rejoin and those who are no longer active supporters to re-engage.

We are launching a campaign website today and we will use every possible means of communication and new technology to stimulate this debate and get our message across.

The campaign will be waged in an open, comradely and friendly manner based upon a debate on the policies not personalities.

Let the debate begin."

See also the official campaign website www.john4leader.org.uk