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Trident row hits Labour as Shadow Defence Secretary's speech is spiked | Trident row hits Labour as Shadow Defence Secretary's speech is spiked |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A fresh row over Trident wrecked Labour’s attempted show of conference unity today, exposing a split between Jeremy Corbyn and a key ally. | A fresh row over Trident wrecked Labour’s attempted show of conference unity today, exposing a split between Jeremy Corbyn and a key ally. |
A bid by Shadow Defence Secretary Clive Lewis to abandon attempts to make unilateral disarmament party policy was scrapped at the last minute – on orders from Mr Corbyn’s office. | A bid by Shadow Defence Secretary Clive Lewis to abandon attempts to make unilateral disarmament party policy was scrapped at the last minute – on orders from Mr Corbyn’s office. |
A TV camera captured Mr Lewis’ angry reaction as his speech was altered on the platform autocue as he was about to get to his feet to deliver it. | A TV camera captured Mr Lewis’ angry reaction as his speech was altered on the platform autocue as he was about to get to his feet to deliver it. |
A post-it note informed Mr Lewis that must not say he “would not seek to change” his party's current policy of backing renewal of the UK's Trident submarines. | A post-it note informed Mr Lewis that must not say he “would not seek to change” his party's current policy of backing renewal of the UK's Trident submarines. |
Instead, he told the conference: “I am clear that our party has a policy for Trident renewal,” – without a guarantee there would be no future attempt to overturn that stance. | Instead, he told the conference: “I am clear that our party has a policy for Trident renewal,” – without a guarantee there would be no future attempt to overturn that stance. |
One report suggested Mr Corbyn himself had agreed the original text with Mr Lewis, only to be over-ruled by his powerful director of strategy, Seamus Milne. | One report suggested Mr Corbyn himself had agreed the original text with Mr Lewis, only to be over-ruled by his powerful director of strategy, Seamus Milne. |
A senior Labour source told the Politics Home website: “Clive punched a wall when he came off the stage because Seumas altered his speech on the autocue. | A senior Labour source told the Politics Home website: “Clive punched a wall when he came off the stage because Seumas altered his speech on the autocue. |
“He was fuming as he sent a post-it note on stage as he was sat there ready to speak and didn't know what the exact change was. Apparently Clive had agreed it with Jeremy but Seumas changed it.” | “He was fuming as he sent a post-it note on stage as he was sat there ready to speak and didn't know what the exact change was. Apparently Clive had agreed it with Jeremy but Seumas changed it.” |
Unlike the ongoing battle between Corbynites and centrist Labour MPs, the latest row put the leader’s office in conflict with one of his strongest Shadow Cabinet supporters. | Unlike the ongoing battle between Corbynites and centrist Labour MPs, the latest row put the leader’s office in conflict with one of his strongest Shadow Cabinet supporters. |
Even Mr Lewis’ statement that current party policy is to renew Trident – and focus on multilateral disarmament talks - kicked off a furious condemnation from CND. | Even Mr Lewis’ statement that current party policy is to renew Trident – and focus on multilateral disarmament talks - kicked off a furious condemnation from CND. |
The campaign group accused Mr Corbyn, its long-time ally, of quietly ditching his commitment to scrap Britain’s nuclear arsenal. | The campaign group accused Mr Corbyn, its long-time ally, of quietly ditching his commitment to scrap Britain’s nuclear arsenal. |
Kate Hudson, the group’s general secretary, said: “There is enormous opposition to Trident replacement within the Labour Party and there will be huge disappointment at this U-turn. | Kate Hudson, the group’s general secretary, said: “There is enormous opposition to Trident replacement within the Labour Party and there will be huge disappointment at this U-turn. |
“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.” | “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.” |
In July, the Commons voted overwhelmingly to renew the submarine-based weapons system with 140 Labour MPs supporting the Government – while only 47 backed Mr Corbyn and voted against. | In July, the Commons voted overwhelmingly to renew the submarine-based weapons system with 140 Labour MPs supporting the Government – while only 47 backed Mr Corbyn and voted against. |
The Labour leader’s anti-nuclear stance has been fiercely criticised by the trade unions, who have accused him of putting large numbers of skilled jobs at risk. | The Labour leader’s anti-nuclear stance has been fiercely criticised by the trade unions, who have accused him of putting large numbers of skilled jobs at risk. |
Ms Hudson added: "Lewis has clearly signalled that the Labour leadership will not seek to change Labour policy and appears to have abandoned its Defence Review conducted extensively over the past year.” | Ms Hudson added: "Lewis has clearly signalled that the Labour leadership will not seek to change Labour policy and appears to have abandoned its Defence Review conducted extensively over the past year.” |
Mr Corbyn is a former vice-chairman of CND, making its attack on him unprecedented. | Mr Corbyn is a former vice-chairman of CND, making its attack on him unprecedented. |
Meanwhile, asked about the last-gasp change to Mr Lewis’ speech, the leader’s spokesman said: “All speeches are put together in conjunction with the leader's office. It was confirmed to Clive that the agreed speech had been amended on the autocue.” | Meanwhile, asked about the last-gasp change to Mr Lewis’ speech, the leader’s spokesman said: “All speeches are put together in conjunction with the leader's office. It was confirmed to Clive that the agreed speech had been amended on the autocue.” |
Mr Lewis later played down the suggestions that he had clashed with Mr Corbyn's office, insisting he was "really pleased" with the speech - and that there was "nothing to see here". | |
A source told the BBC it was normal for work to be done on a speech until a late stage, adding: "Clive found it a little frustrating, but he's OK with it now." |