Labour manifesto on terrorism: What is Jeremy Corbyn's policy to tackle terror?
JEREMY Corbyn has said that terror attacks are linked toUK foreign policy in his first campaign speech since the Manchester bombing. But what is Labour’s plan to stop terrorism?
Defence expert blasts Corbyn for blaming terror on foreign policy
Jeremy Corbyn said that “war on terror is simply not working” as electioneering resumes following Monday’s terror attack.
The Labour leader linked “terrorism here at home” to the Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Just four days after 22 were killed in the Manchester attack, Mr Corbyn said: “Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services, have pointed to the connections between wars our government has supported or fought in other countries and terrorism here at home.
“That assessment in no way reduces the guilt of those who attack our children.
“Those terrorists will forever be reviled and held to account for their actions.
“But an informed understanding of the causes of terrorism is an essential part of an effective response that will protect the security of our people that fights rather than fuels terrorism.
“We must be brave enough to admit the 'war on terror' is simply not working. We need a smarter way to reduce the threat from countries that nurture terrorists and generate terrorism.”
The Labour leader promised to “change what we do abroad”, and laid out a defence policy which puts him at odds with the Conservatives and many of his backbenchers.
What is Labour’s counter-terrorism policy?
ISIS
Labour’s plan to fight terrorism focuses on diplomatic resolutions to conflicts in the Syria, the Middle East and Northern Africa, as well as preventative measures closer to home.
The party’s manifesto promises to “take all lawful action necessary to counter and confront ISIS”, advocating “a long-term multinational political strategy, led by regional actors, to tackle the spread of extremism”.
ISIS continue to occupy swathes of Syria, however Mr Corbyn has said that he would suspend British air strikes in the region if he becomes Prime Minister.
In April, he told The Andrew Marr Show:” I would say to President Trump: ‘Listen, it's nobody's interests for this war to continue. Let's get the Geneva process going quickly.’”
Policing and intelligence
In his speech today, Mr Corbyn will point to his plan to hire 10,000 new police officers.
“There will be more police on the streets under a Labour Government,” he will say.
“And if the security services need more resources to keep track of those who wish to murder and maim, then they should get them.”
The Labour manifesto also pledges to maintain cross-border security co-operation with Europe and the world.
It says: “We will always provide our security agencies with the resources and the powers they need to protect our country and keep us all safe.
“We will also ensure that such powers do not weaken our individual rights or civil liberties.”
Prevent
Labour has said that it will review the Government’s Prevent anti-terror strategy, which is designed to safeguard vulnerable people who may be drawn into terrorism and stop them from being radicalised.
Prevent has been criticised for alienating Britain’s Muslim community, with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham labelling it a “toxic” policy which can leave Muslims feeling “picked on”.
Labour’s manifesto says that it will review Prevent “with a view to assessing both its effectiveness and its potential to alienate minority communities”.
It adds: “In doing so, we will address the government’s failure to take any effective new measures against a growing problem of extreme or violent radicalisation.”
In recent days Prevent has faced fresh criticism over its effectiveness, after it emerged that authorities were warned about Manchester bomber Salman Abedi numerous times over the past five years.