What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Labour's John McDonnell has backed thousands of teachers and nurses to walk out on strike and vowed to bring down the Government through direct action.

In an incendiary speech, the Shadow Chancellor said the era of Labour leaders refusing to back strike action is “over”.

Mr McDonnell pledged "solidarity" with public servants who strike against Tory cuts and heaped praise on disabled protesters "who on a regular basis are storming Parliament".

And the avowed Marxist told crowds they could “bring this Government down” before the 2020 election.

"We need determination that will defeat them at every opportunity - whether it is in Parliament, on the picket lines or on the streets,” the Shadow Chancellor said.

“If we can work in solidarity together, we don't have to wait to the election in 2020. We have got to work to bring this Government down at the first opportunity."

(Image: WENN)

The speech will delight old-school Labour activists who have raged at the party's failure to publicly back strike action over recent years.

In stark contrast Mr McDonnell joined junior doctors on the picket line during their first walk-out in January.

But it will worry Labour moderates who fear the new party leadership is dragging the party too far to the Left.

Speaking at the anti-austerity rally in Trafalgar Square on Saturday , Mr McDonnell said: “For too long Labour leaders in the past have sought to be embarrassed by their association with struggles on the street or industrial action. That era is over.”

“I give you this commitment - whether it is in Parliament or on the picket or on streets, this Labour leadership will be with you.”

(Image: Getty)

He vowed Labour would back teachers to strike over the Government's controversial plans to force every school to become an academy by 2022.

And he offered “solidarity” with nurses should they walk out over Chancellor George Osborne's cruel decision to axe their student bursaries .

“When they come to academise our schools, if the teachers wish to take industrial action we will be with them in solidarity,” Mr McDonnell said.

“And the same with nurses and their bursaries - it's the same every other struggle as we go forward now, because above all else now we need solidarity.”

Mr McDonnell also said Labour is ready to nationalise the steel industry if necessary.

And he vowed to scrap Trident nuclear weapons “if we can win the argument in the party”.