RMT press release, issued today

HAYES AND Harlington MP John McDonnell made a stand for democracy with his demonstration in the House of Commons today, Britain’s specialist transport union said.

Condemning the MP’s suspension from the house after he seized the Mace in the Commons chamber, RMT said that Mr McDonnell had been right to label as a disgrace the denial of a vote by MPs on the controversial decision to build a third Heathrow runway.

“John McDonnell should be congratulated for the stand he made today, which was a stand for democracy and the right of MPs to represent effectively the people who elect them,” RMT general secretary Bob Crow said.

“If anyone is treating parliament with contempt it is those who would deny MPs their right to vote on crucial and controversial issues such as the future of our environment.

“John’s constituents are among those who will suffer most from this misguided decision, and it is to the government’s shame that it is not prepared to submit it to a vote,” Bob Crow said.