John McDonnell criticises Keir Starmer’s handling of the Sam Tarry issue and endorses coordinated industrial action.
John McDonnell, former shadow chancellor, has expressed his support for a general strike as tensions rise within the Labour Party over the sacking of Sam Tarry. Sir Keir Starmer is facing increasing pressure from unions and the left-wing of his party following Tarry’s dismissal after publicly supporting the rail strikes and participating in media interviews without prior approval from party leadership.
McDonnell described Starmer’s actions as a “severe mistake” and accused the Labour leader of misunderstanding the public’s sentiment. He also condemned the unnecessary row, particularly at a time when the Conservative Party is embroiled in internal strife, presenting Labour with an opportunity to gain an advantage in the polls. McDonnell believes the party could have capitalised on the disarray within the Tories and built momentum toward securing a general election victory.
The former shadow chancellor also endorsed coordinated industrial action, including the possibility of a general strike, as proposed by RMT union leader Mick Lynch. He stated that millions of workers are voting for industrial action, and co-ordinating these efforts could lead to a pay rise for workers grappling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. McDonnell argued that supporting strikes was crucial to ensuring workers’ rights and welfare, particularly in light of the economic challenges faced by many families.
While the Labour Party has not officially backed the strikes, McDonnell urged the party leadership to reassess its position and unify both the labour and trade union movement, as well as the broader public. He claimed that Starmer and his advisers have misread both the mood within the party and the public’s views on the situation.
The backlash from unions, Labour MPs, and key figures was swift following Tarry’s dismissal. Some Labour MPs, including Rachael Maskell from York Central, called for Starmer to visit picket lines to show solidarity with striking workers. Additionally, GMB union leader Gary Smith criticised the decision, calling it a “huge own goal” for Labour, while former Labour deputy prime minister Lord John Prescott tweeted his support for striking workers, recalling his own experiences with the 1984 miners’ strike.
Despite the criticism, a Labour spokesperson justified Tarry’s removal from the frontbench, stating that members must adhere to collective responsibility and follow party protocols, including approval for media appearances and alignment with frontbench positions. Tarry, however, remained resolute in his support for the striking rail workers and vowed to continue campaigning for Labour’s success at the next general election, albeit from the backbenches.
On the day of the sacking, rail passengers faced widespread disruptions as thousands of workers walked out on strike, further highlighting the ongoing tensions between Labour’s leadership and its unions. Several backbench Labour MPs, including Ian Byrne, Dawn Butler, and Emma Lewell-Buck, joined the picket lines in solidarity with the workers.
