“What I have found over the years is people who were anti-Trident, when they hear all of the arguments and see all of the issues they realise actually – although none of us like nuclear weapons, it is trite to say “I don’t like nuclear arms”, who on earth likes nuclear weapons? – but we need them, pragmatically, I fear”.
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Former London mayor Ken Livingstone will have no formal role in Labour’s review of its defence policy, the party has announced.
“I support Jeremy Corbyn’s line on this”.
However, the terms of reference document published by Labour states the party’s worldwide policy commission, of which Mr Livingstone is co-chair and covers security and defence, “will be fully involved in the review”.
But she told the BBC she was “extremely sceptical” about the nuclear deterrent.
But it appears Livingstone, who infuriated Labour MPs with his interventions on defence, is no longer considered vital to the review after Corbyn replaced the previous shadow defence secretary, Maria Eagle, who was in favour of Trident, with Thornberry.
Ms Thornberry, the Islington South MP, is a backer of unilateral disarmament just like Mr Livingstone and Mr Corbyn.
‘This is yet another example that the team behind Jeremy Corbyn don’t give a stuff about how Labour looks to the public or whether we stand up for manufacturing jobs as long as they can provoke a fresh fight in the party.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is planning to call for banning the companies from paying dividends to shareholders unless they pay workers the living wage.
The appointments came as it was suggested that a potentially divisive review of Labour’s policy on Trident could report within weeks.
But Mr Corbyn’s attempt to move defence policy to the left, by abandoning support for Trident, has set him on collision course with the trade unions this weekend. It will be open, transparent and inclusive, and its conclusions will be based on the evidence.
“I don’t apologise for being London’s advocate, even to the Labour Party, rather than a salesman for the leadership”, he said.
Livingstone told the Guardian: “Emily and I had lunch last Friday at the Drapers Arms, a nice little pub in her constituency”.
“We will encourage the widest possible participation of Labour party members and affiliates, as well as defence specialists, NGOs and the armed forces”.
She said: “This will be a comprehensive review of Britain’s defence challenges and options for the 21st century”.
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“In contrast to a Labour Party in complete disarray, the SNP in government is getting on with the job of delivering for Scotland as we reaffirm our commitment to build on the progress we’ve made in office so far, and continue to make Scotland a fairer, more prosperous place”.
