John McDonnell Says He's 'Not Going Away' As Poll Shows Starmer Set To Win Labour Leadership
John McDonnell has said he and Jeremy Corbyn are “not going away”, as a poll suggested Keir Starmer is on course to easily win the Labour leadership contest.
The outgoing shadow chancellor told a “rally for socialism” event in central-London on Wednesday evening that the left of the party should “never apologise” for the 2019 election policy platform.
McDonnell said it was ”absolutely key” that Rebecca Long-Bailey and Richard Burgon win the leadership and deputy leadership of the party.
“There are people who will want to take us backwards. There are people who will want to tear up the manifesto. They may not have the front to say that now. But that certainly what the intention will be,” he said.
McDonnell added the party had to “win an election not for winning’s sake” but to create a “socialist society”.
He said: “Diane [Abbott], I and Jeremy, keep on hearing these tributes on platforms and all the rest of it. It is like listening to your own obituary.
“We’re not going away. We will play a different role. And I keep saying I am going to become an elder statesman. You better believe it.
“You take the plaudits but you also take responsibility. I let you down. I let you down. We lost that election. When you are in a leadership positions you have to take responsibility. But you learn the lessons as well.”
He added he was “proud of that manifesto” in 2019 but admitted the party “didn’t create an overall narrative”.
“Never apologise for promising we were going to build a million homes. Never apologise that we were going to scrap Universal Credit,” he said.
McDonnell was speaking at the event organised to promote Burgon’s campaign alongside Corbyn allies Abbott and party chair Ian Lavery.
The three are all backing Long-Bailey in the leadership contest. But despite their support, the shadow business secretary looks to be heading for a heavy defeat.
A YouGov poll published by Sky News yesterday showed Starmer will win...
