John McDonnell: You Ask The Questions

You aren't going to win. If you did, Labour would lose the next election disastrously. Why are you running? ANDY DWYER, Liverpool

Andy, you may have noticed the election results on 3 May.

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Labour polled 27 per cent to the Tories 41 per cent - if things don't change, at best there'll be a hung parliament at the next election. Even in 2005, we only polled 35 per cent of the vote.

We have also lost so much of our membership that in some areas we do not have the machine on the ground to win anymore. I'm running because the majority of the British public agrees with me on a range of issues: from Iraq to public services, to the need for greater action on housing and the environment.

I'm standing on a platform of issues based on the votes of Labour Party and TUC conferences - where millions of people's views are represented - and which have been developed by my discussions with thousands of people up and down the country.

Why do you oppose the idea of Gordon Brown as leader? LINDA TALBOT, Birmingham

This contest is about policies not personalities. I'm standing on a radically different policy platform from that of Gordon Brown - one that will re-engage us with the British people, by giving them more power over their own lives.

If you became Prime Minister what would be your first act? NOURA KHAN, London

To go to the United Nations and admit the invasion of Iraq was a mistake and appeal to our international partners to assist us in withdrawing UK troops from Iraq.

What do you think the highest rate of income tax should be in this country? H PATEL, London

I think we need to look at personal taxation as the gap between rich and poor continues to widen with the inevitable social consequences. People just don't understand why some people are getting seven-figure bonuses or even what they're doing to get them - and I've suggested a windfall tax on these, but the real issue on tax is the £97bn-£150bn lost each year through tax avoidance by corporations.

New Labour won an unprecedented three elections in a row. Why do you want to go back to the policies that kept the party in the electoral wilderness for so long? MIKE WALLACE, Ely

Mike, I was elected all through the 1980s as a GLC [Greater London Council] councillor, when I, as chair of finance and deputy [leader], and Ken Livingstone as leader pushed through some very radical policies in London with great electoral support. It's been generally recognised as the most successful and popular progressive administration in recent times. We weren't voted out, but abolished by Margaret Thatcher.

Are you a joke candidate funded by the Tories to scare people with your absurd, outdated views? PAUL BUCHANAN, Glasgow

What the Tories fear is a revitalised Labour Party, as we risk sleepwalking to defeat at the moment. An open debate will help engage many lapsed or inactive members and already has done - my campaign has been recruiting among young people a new generation of supporters.

I don't think it is either outdated or absurd to want a peaceful foreign policy, to want public services that are well-funded and run in the interests of those who use them and work in them.

How do you think Gordon Brown will be different as PM to Tony Blair? ELINOR WEBB, Bath

The problem for Gordon is that he's seen as the architect of the New Labour policies over the past decade which have alienated large sections of our supporters. I think Gordon will certainly have a different style to Tony Blair, but he has described himself as New Labour and "an evangelist for globalisation" - so not as different as is necessary.

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? SARAH CLARKE, by email

Yes. I went to university in the Seventies and you'd have to be a recluse to avoid it. I occasionally smoked cannabis, but gave it up along with tobacco as all it did was make me giggle. Like the Indy, I'm worried stiff about this new skunk.

How much will a full Labour leadership contest cost the party? TREVOR JACOB, London

There is going to be an election for the deputy leadership concurrently, so there is no additional administrative cost in having a leadership contest.

In fact the Labour Party gets a 15 per cent levy on all donations that candidates receive, so it looks like the party will make a profit! We should see the leadership election as an opportunity to draw more people back into the party, and at each of the hundreds of meetings I've held over the past six months, I've been taking along membership forms and asking people to rejoin.

Do you think Gordon Brown will deliver a victory for Labour at the next election if he becomes PM after Blair? ALEX BENNETT, Edinburgh

I want Labour to win the next election and will be working hard to ensure that happens - whoever is the leader. At the moment the British public are increasingly hostile to Labour - it will take more than a change of personnel to change that.

If sanctions worked against racist South Africa why don't we put them on Israel? RUSSELL MAKIN, by email

It's a good question, and I fully support sanctions against Israel - which has been in breach of UN resolutions now for 40 years. We should convene a Middles East conference to bring all parties together and then use sanctions and isolation to ensure Israel's fullest participation.

Tony Blair led the country into a war based on falsehoods. Gordon Brown was the one person who could have stopped him. How do you feel about these blood-stained characters leading the country and your party? GUY JONES, Bristol

The decision to go to war in Iraq was the worst decision taken by any Prime Minister in living memory. What you must remember is that while a majority of Labour MPs did vote for war, 140 of us did not - and the majority of party members and trade unionists opposed the war and helped to build the biggest anti-war movement in our history.

When people make such a monumental misjudgement as that, then you have to question their ability to lead. I am the only candidate for leader or deputy leader who voted against the war, and I hope that by voting for me we can reclaim the party as a party of peace.

What's your favourite television soap opera? KEITH FOX, Eastleigh

I have an 11-year-old son, who with his mates has just started watching EastEnders - worryingly, I've started to join him. I do listen to The Archers too.

Did you think Tony Blair's "apology" in his Sedgefield speech the other day went far enough? CIARAN EVANS, Cardiff

Not really, but at least it was some recognition of the mistake of going to war. The Prime Minister may have done what he thought was right, but he has been proved wrong. That needs to be rectified by pulling our troops out of Iraq - and handing back control of the country and its economy to the Iraqis.

Are you in favour of the monarchy? BRIAN BURKE, St Albans

I'm a republican at heart, but also a democrat, so if the majority want a monarchy in this country fair enough.

What would you do about Iraq now, given the disaster Blair's government has helped to create? MADELEINE AVELING, Herts

Based upon the US Democratic Party's new policy, I'd appeal to the world via the UN to assist us in withdrawing troops from Iraq - bring Iran, Syria and others into negotiations to provide for stability and a secure peace - and ensure that the Iraqis have control over their own country and its economy.

Are you a pacifist? NADIA VEEVERS, by email

No, I think there are some very limited situations when you need to take armed action in some form to protect lives. However, through by Ministry for Peace initiative I have been working with various international agencies to promote practical methods to prevent and resolve conflict across the world.

Shouldn't Labour start working with other parties on the left such as Respect and the Socialist Workers Party? OLIVER KINGSTON, Ealing

I work with people from all different campaigns to fight against war, privatisation, and attacks on asylum seekers, but we are stronger if we're together - and that is why I try to persuade people to join the Labour Party.

Could you live on the minimum wage? NEIL WALLS, London

No, and I don't think anyone should have to. It should be raised to at least £7 with no age exemptions.

Why are people turning away from politics, and what would you do to restore people's interest and belief in the political system? CHARLES O'CONNOR, Kingston

People don't trust politics or politicians any more and decision-making has been centralised. The response should be honest and open government held accountable through new democratic structures but more importantly to empower people to engage directly in decision-making processes about the things that affect their lives. Over the previous 30 years, a combination of government centralisation and the market has taken power away from people - and so I would give people power to shape their local communities and public services.

Do you give money to charity? And if so, which ones? CHRISTINE HARRINGTON, Ipswich

I donate fairly regularly to developing world charities and any income I receive other than my parliamentary salary I donate to local charities like my local hospice and community groups.

Were you bullied at school? S BAILEY, by email

Not particularly as I was good at sport and very fit and able to run away fast if necessary.

What are you most ashamed about in the Government's record? CLAIRE McCARTHY, by email

The war, and also some section of our community are treated so harshly or are being neglected, including asylum-seekers, pensioners and families living in poverty, and carers - especially child carers.

If you had to be stranded on a desert island with a Tory MP who would you choose? JON BELKAMP, by email

Iain Duncan Smith - at least he'd be quiet.