Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell slams economic record of George Osborne as the 'slowest recovery in 300 years' at this week's Bracknell debate

Taking to the stage at Garth Hill College on Tuesday evening, Mr McDonnell spoke about inequality, housing and the economy during a 45 minute debate with Professor Danny Dorling of Oxford University before taking questions from the audience. 

During the debate the Hayes and Harlington MP said the lack of affordable housing built in Britain was the biggest failure of governments over the past 30 years and slammed Chancellor George Osborne's economic record. 

He said: "What I've come across is that there are real extremes in poverty that I never expected there to be in society. When I was younger we had this impression that quality of life would always improve. I can remember that beggars were just a fairytale, they didn't exist in real life.

"We have revived the back to back, where the front of the house is rented to one family and the back to another family.

"For most people across Britain, they will never see that or experience it but it's there, it's stark and it's real. In my area it's all caused by one huge failure, the failure to build affordable homes in Britain over the last 30 years." 

John McDonnell and Prof. Danny Dorling debated for around 45 minutes

The debate, organised by Bracknell Labour member Dr Anne Brunton, was an opportunity for the local branch of the party to find out exactly how the leadership plan to secure victory at the 2020 general election. 

Mr McDonnell, a close confidante of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, said the party needed to regain economic credibility and show they are relevant to more than just working class voters. 

Labour party activist Dr Anne Brunton chaired the audience questions

On the party's history McDonnell said: "I had some reservations with Tony Blair. I think New Labour did a lot of good things, the investment in public services was incredible.

"What they did not address was some of the underlying issues affecting our economy. 

"We will not get elected unless we gain economic credibility. That's my job."

McDonnell claimed Labour would tackle the deficit within five years, he would reverse tax cuts for the rich and would like to see corporation tax hiked up to 20 per cent.

He added he was a strong believer in public ownership of key services such as trains and would aim to take contracts back under government control. 

"Austerity is not a necessary measure, it's a choice," he said.

'It's my job': McDonnell on regaining Labour's economic credibility 

On George Osborne's record he added: "We will challenge him on his record. When he took over as chancellor in 2010 he said he would eradicate the deficit by 2015. We are still £1.5 trillion in debt.

"This is the slowest recovery in 300 years.

"I think he is storing up problems for the future."

Not often an attractive crowd for the Labour top brass, Cllr Paul Bidwell said it had been a 'new and welcome' approach by the parliamentary party to have Mr McDonnell visit Tory-dominated Bracknell. 

Cllr Bidwell, a Labour member of Bracknell Town Council, said: "John's attendance this week was a real shot in the arm for everyone in the Bracknell Labour Party.

"As a safe Tory seat it was sometimes difficult to get central support, certainly not a visit from the Shadow Chancellor. This is a new and welcome approach from Labour, with all Shadow Cabinet members committed to extensive visits across the UK. It is important for Bracknell that senior party members are aware of the challenges we face. 

"Bracknell is on of the most affluent towns in England but we have food banks, homelessness and growing social problems. John's visit allowed Bracknell's voice to be heard and in return he gave us the opportunity to hear from the horse's mouth how Labour intend to tackle the economic issues that are the root cause."

McDonnell took to the stage at Garth Hill College for the debate