McDonnell calls on Labour to unite around the new politics

John McDonnell has called on Labour to unite around the “principles of the new politics”.

The Shadow Chancellor has sent a message to MPs that they should embrace change and said that it the party is going to change society, there is “no going back”.

“People who were comfortable with the old ways of working in the party saw everything they thought permanent suddenly at risk of change, not sure what was to replace the old methods. A venture and career path they had given their lives over to they saw being placed in jeopardy.

Of course, people get anxious in these situations and can feel threatened. Who wouldn’t? Nevertheless the majorities in every section of the party, including the parliamentary party, are embracing this new energetic movement to update our party for the new century,” he said.

In an article for the Guardian, McDonnell appears to defend Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to consult members on Labour policy, which he did last week ahead of the vote on airstrikes in Syria. This was criticised by some Labour MPs as an attempt to undermine their own decision to support the Government’s plans on Syria and bolster support for his own stance against bombing.

“Interestingly, more often than not it is Labour MPs who are emphasising that our members don’t want simply to be cogs in an electoral machine, delivering the leaflets and knocking on the doors, yet without being the effective determiners of the direction of the party”, he writes.

McDonnell doesn’t just speak to those Labour MPs who have voiced scepticism over Corbyn’s style of leadership. He also appears to send a message to Labour members and supporters, saying they should embrace discussion and disagreement without reverting to the “old-style politics where disagreement is not tolerated, and the old-style, heavy-handed discipline, with threats of expulsion or deselection, being reeled out”. This comes after a small minority have threatened MPs with deselection. He calls for “a long-term, creative, patient socialism”.

In an attempt to begin uniting the party, McDonnell said this new politics must not been viewed “through the eyes of the old politics” He says this means democracy must not be mistaken for division or debate for dissent.