Labour leadership U-turn over Trident as Clive Lewis’ speech changed at the last minute

Clive Lewis - Matt Crossick

Labour’s policy will remain to upgrade the Trident nuclear weapons system, despite leader Jeremy Corbyn and his allies remaining opposed to the policy.

Shadow Defence Secretary Clive Lewis, who also opposes replacement of the nuclear deterrent, told Labour conference the party’s policy would be to remain committed to renewal.

The move is thought to be an attempt to heal divisions in the party. Some trade unions back Trident renewal as a means to safeguard defence jobs.

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“There are defence issues on which we are not united. This should not surprise us though. The security of our country - the first duty of any government - demands nothing less than the most rigorous of examination and debate,” said Lewis.

“Friends, we know that nuclear weapons are one of those issues. As you know, I am sceptical about Trident renewal, as are many here. But I am clear that our party has a policy for Trident renewal.”

It later emerged the aprty's director of communications Seumas Milne had made last minute changes to Lewis’ speech on the autocue as he was preparing to speak.

Jeremy Corbyn told the BBC: “We obviously discuss what is going to be said, and Clive delivered a speech on behalf of all of us.”

Lewis is co-chairing a review of Labour's defence policy with Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry.

Yesterday they said Labour will launch a fresh initiative for international talks on reducing nuclear weapon stockpiles.

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament(CND), of which Corbyn was vice-president, reacted angrily to the speech.

General secretary Kate Hudson said it was a “disastrous announcement” which amounted to a U-turn by Lewis.

“Clive Lewis has stated this morning that Labour will now prioritise support for multilateral disarmament initiatives. All well and good but what use is that if Labour fails to oppose Trident replacement?

“How can Labour claim to work for multilateral disarmament if it supports the government building a new nuclear weapons system at a cost of £205 billion? This means Labour is supporting nuclear rearmament,” she said.