IN the wake of Brexit, John McDonnell has revealed how he is tackling the challenges facing his constituents. 

Mr McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, who campaigned to remain in the EU on the basis it would be reformed, told of the work needed to overcome the consequences of the Leave result. 

Hillingdon was one of only five boroughs in London to vote in favour of leaving in the EU referendum — with a 68.91% turnout voting 56.35% leave.

The MP said: “We have to accept the decision of the referendum so now what we have to do is negotiate the best deal we possibly can and that includes making sure we have access to the trade market, free movement of labour, but making sure free movement of labour prevents under cutting of wages and conditions as well.

“In addition to that it is about making sure that all the EU nationals in the UK are protected and in addition to that UK citizens in the EU are protected.

“The issue for us in Hayes and West Drayton is that we’re the logistical centre of Britain basically because of the motorways, because of the railway, because of the airport.

“What we can’t do is lose the companies that we have there.

“We have companies like Siemens — who I met recently — and others who are based here because of that logistical position with regard to markets.

“So my work in the coming period will be to reassure those companies that in the negations that are now taking place in regard with our European partners that we get the best deal we possibly can to remain open in terms of the market itself.

“I think we can get that deal but we need to do it quickly and that will give the reassurance to local companies.

“But it is a threat. There is no doubt about it, it is a threat.”

The Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer mentioned how he has begun working with socialists and social democratic parties across Europe to create a new relationship along the continent based upon cooperation.

The MP spoke about his ward’s housing crisis with Land Registry figures in March disclosing that Hillingdon had the highest average annual house price rise in London at 17.2%.

This meant the average cost of buying a house in the MP’s constituency rose to £390,000.

Mr McDonnell said: “People are literally renting out sheds and garages, people are sleeping on the canal and even some of our parks.

“We’ve never had a housing crisis like this since the second world war.

“The council is just complete dereliction of its duty, turning people away.

“The council are now renting back homes that they sold off 20 years ago.

“The council properties they sold off they are now renting back at vast expense to put families in their homes.

“The whole housing catastrophe has been caused by bad policy making consistently by successive governments and the local council not building the homes we need.

“That’s the tragedy of it all.”

He blamed a lack of housing on the economic down turn and austerity measures but was keen to point out that his team were working to designate some areas to housing in an attempt to achieve a good balance.

One solution to the housing crisis proposed by the Department for Communities and Local Government last December was to relax green belt rules.

Figures the department published in April showed that up to 40% of new houses in Hillingdon are being built on the green belt.

The council disputes these figures and claims instead that only 2% of all residential dwellings were built on the green belt in this time period. 

Either way, the Shadow Chancellor disagrees with this approach, he said: “We’ve been campaigning for years now to protect the green belt in Hayes, West Drayton.

“The council hasn’t been particularly helpful.

“They have built a school on Lake Farm, our country park, and I am worried they will come back for more of it.”

Mr McDonnell, who calls himself a community socialist, has set up groups for residents and planning forums, attended by planning experts, to make sure the green belt is monitored and protected.

The Labourite argued that there are enough brown field spaces and derelict spaces to build on instead.

He said: “I think it’s a myth that people have to build on the green belt.

“It’s the easy option for some people.”

This is not the first time that Mr McDonnell has criticised the Conservative council.

Last December he asked for serious and urgent action from the House of Commons to resolve the council’s administrative competence and probity.

Hillingdon Council leader Ray Puddifoot has responded to the MP’s recent allegations.

He said: "John McDonnell is a real politician and a committed campaigner, but not one with any real record of achievement.

“It is easy to blame Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron for bad policy, but in local government, particularly in Hillingdon, it is about getting things done, not just whinging about particular issues.

“Whilst John is an amiable guy he has no influence in Hillingdon Council."

After the EU referendum Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced that a decision on Heathrow’s expansion has been delayed until at least October.

Mr McDonnell has been a constant campaigner against its expansion and believes that, as air pollution is above EU levels in Hayes and West Drayton, the government would reject a third runway.

He said: “If they do take a decision on Heathrow, the local authorities that have been working together have got their war chest of legal funding and I think we will be in court fairly after that and I think we will win.

“I am still confident of beating the third runway but the problem is, as these decisions get delayed and delayed people’s homes are blighted.

“I think people just want a decision now so we know for certain what the future is.”

Mr McDonnell had time to comment on Hayes and Yeading football team who he has supported for the past 30 years and for whom he now holds an honorary vice presidency role.

As United sold their previous stadium and were therefore groundsharing last season, the MP has struggled to follow them and was saddened by their eventual relegation.

He said: “I am hoping now they’re coming back that we can rebuild both in terms of support and in terms of the team itself.

“I think there’s a real prospect of us getting back in the conference within a number of years.”