John McDonnell pledges 'radical' Labour government to clean up Tory 'mess'
4 min read
John McDonnell has pledged that the next election will usher in a "radical" Labour government as he put his party on a war footing in preparation for a snap election.
Unveiling plans to put the water industry in the hands of its workers and the public, the Shadow Chancellor said his party would need to usher in sweeping reforms in order to clear up the "mess" left behind by the Conservatives.
Amid speculation that Theresa May could call another election in a bid to break the Brexit deadlock, Mr McDonnell told cheering delegates at the Labour conference in Liverpool: "Bring it on."
He said: "The greater the mess we inherit, the more radical we have to be; the greater the need for change, the greater the opportunity we have to create that change and we will.
"The Tories’ austerity has been brutal. But what I have resented most is that they try to take away the dreams, the hope and optimism our people, especially our young people, that dream of building a better world.
"But they fail to understand that we have an unwavering faith that together people can change the world. We will not settle for anything less.
"Yesterday the press reported the Tories were drawing up secret plans for a quick general election. So the message from this conference is bring it on.
"Whenever the general election comes, we are ready. Ready to campaign for victory, ready for government, ready to build the future."
Mr McDonnell said that water bills have risen 40% in real terms since privatisation, while the bosses of the companies running the system are overpaid and fail to fix leakages which see millions of litres go to waste.
"With figures like that, we can’t afford not to take them back," he said.
The veteran left-winger said that under a Labour government, the water industry would be put "back in the hands of local councils, workers and customers".
He added: "There will be unprecedented openness and transparency in how the industry will be managed. We are ending the profiteering in dividends, vast executive salaries, and excessive interest payments.
"Surpluses will be reinvested in water infrastructure and staff, or used to reduce bills. Real investment will allow the highest environmental standards."
The Shadow Chancellor also confirmed plans to force big firms to hand over 10% of their equity to their employees.
Elsewhere, Mr McDonnell also announced plans to launch a shareholder campaign aimed at putting pressure on companies which dodge tax.
He said: "We’ll be demanding companies sign up to the Fair Tax Mark standards, demonstrating transparently that they pay their fair share of taxes. So fair warning to the tax avoiders, we are coming for you."
The Shadow Chancellor's speech was welcomed by trade union bosses.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, said: "It is great to see the Shadow Chancellor commit a future Labour government to a genuine socialist vision, ending austerity and properly investing in our public services.
"Working people create the wealth in this country and it is high time they were rewarded with a greater stake in the economy.
"Contrary to the cries of big business leaders who have exploited their workers for decades, the proposals set out by John McDonnell today are about building a truly equal society where working people can live with dignity."
GMB boss Tim Roache said: "We welcome the Shadow Chancellor’s commitment to putting water back in public hands at the first possible opportunity and making our water services work for the many and not the few."
But the CBI said Labour's plans threatened to "crack the foundations of this country’s prosperity".
Director general Carolyn Fairbairn said: "No-one in business would disagree with the fundamental aims of these policies – to engage and motivate employees, deliver for customers and share prosperity. And it is good to hear the Shadow Chancellor say he is proud of the millions of businesses who contribute to communities across the UK.
"But with Labour’s current proposals, the fallout for the UK, its workers and customers would be a drop in living standards."
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