Labour was today caught in growing rows over illegal strikes, freedom of movement and renationalisation of key industries.
During a TV interview, shadow Chancellor John McDonnell refused five times to say whether he backed illegal walk-outs.
He was also forced to defend the decision for Labour’s annual rally not to debate a motion that could shackle the leadership into supporting the continuation of freedom of movement after Brexit. Other questions included compensation for shareholders if water, Royal Mail and other utility companies were renationalised.
Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Mr McDonnell was asked by presenter Piers Morgan: “Would you support an illegal strike?”
Left-winger Mr McDonnell replied: “I don’t think there will be any illegal strikes.” Mr Morgan intervened: “That was not the question.” Mr McDonnell said: “I am telling you the answer. I don’t think there will be, so it’s a hypothetical question. I believe what will happen is that people on the issues around pay in particular are so angry at the moment they will be no prospects of illegal strikes because the vast majority, if they want industrial action they will vote for them.”
But Mr Morgan came back: “Len McCluskey [Unite union leader] has said that he is supportive of illegal strikes, so let me ask you again – simple question – if there was an illegal strike would you and Mr Corbyn support it?”
Mr McDonnell said: “I’m telling you I don’t think there will be any prospect of illegal strikes. People are so angry that union members if they wish to strike I think they will have an overwhelming majority…”
Mr Morgan intervened: “You understand that when people are watching this, they have heard you say you are a straight talker and I’ve asked you a very simple question and you just don’t want to answer it.”
Mr McDonnell said: “No, I’m answering it in the terms that I believe is the most effective way to get across to people exactly what the real issue is.”
But Mr Morgan said: “There is a fundamental issue here: you are the number two of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn is the number one… and at the heart and soul of this new Labour Party is a great relationship with your unions, and they in many ways helped get Jeremy Corbyn where he is. Here you have a top union leader advocating illegal strikes, everyone… wants clarity from the leadership about whether fundamentally, you agree with Len McCluskey or not, that illegal strikes are permissible?”
Mr McDonnell said: “I want to tell you what the real issues are.”
The shadow chancellor also sought to play down the significance of Momentum using its app to advise supporters not to back having a freedom of movement motion, saying groups from all sides of the party had always sought to influence the direction of conference. Mary Creagh MP said: “It is disappointing that we as a party that aspires to be in government have ducked the biggest issue of the day.”
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The shadow chancellor also said Labour was committed to bringing key sectors of the economy into public ownership including rail and water, as well as a decentralised energy system.
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