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Through the looking glass: Labour’s future foreign policy

To the dismay of many of Jeremy Corbyn’s parliamentary colleagues, foreign policy is the Labour leader’s main passion. Corbyn rarely appears more animated than when discussing the plight of Palestinians – or lambasting the Saudi Arabian government.

So, Mr S listened with interest as Corbyn’s closest allies gathered at Labour conference for a Stop the War fringe event. Corbyn adviser (and former Communist Party of Britain member) Andrew Murray was joined by shadow cabinet members Richard Burgon and Diane Abbott along with Chris Williamson for the packed event titled Why We Need An Anti-War Government. To kick proceedings off, Williamson said the party was making history:

‘We often talk about recapturing the spirit of 1945 and I honestly feel that we’re in that moment right now. I think in the future people will look back at this period and when ever the general election comes people will talk about capturing that 2018 moment or 2019 spirit’.

Here’s a glimpse of what foreign policy could look like in a Corbyn-led government:

  • An anti-Trident government is in the offing
    Chris Williamson – ‘Of course we went into the last election with a commitment to retain Trident and that’s the party’s policy position at the moment. But we all know that Jeremy’s own personal view is not that.’ ‘Let’s have a sensible debate about Trident, a despicable weapon we would never use in any event and Jeremy’s made it very clear he wouldn’t want to press the button were he in that situation. It’s just absurd. We are where we are that’s the policy at the moment and we’ve obviously got to win them on.’
  • An end to the ‘special relationship’
    Corbyn adviser Andrew Murray called on the man he advises to end the ‘special relationship’ with the US.

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Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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