Jeremy Corbyn highlights ‘connections’ between wars and ‘terrorism at home’

JEREMY CORBYN has highlighted the link between the UK’s involvement in foreign wars and terrorism at home but insisted that “in no way reduces the guilt” of murderers who have targeted people on Britain’s streets.

In a speech marking the return to General Election campaigning following the Manchester atrocity, Mr Corbyn said the “war on terror has not worked” and vowed to tackle the causes of terrorism.

The Labour leader said the presence of troops on Britain’s streets was an indication the current approach was not working as he vowed to be tough on the causes of terrorism.

Attacking Conservative austerity measures under Theresa May, first as home secretary and then as Prime Minister, Mr Corbyn vowed to increase funding available for the police and emergency services.

The speech in London was preceded by a minute’s silence for the 22 people who lost their lives in Monday night’s attack at the Manchester Arena.

Mr Corbyn was criticised by political rivals from the Tories and Liberal Democrats over the content and timing of his speech while the investigation into the attack was ongoing.

The Labour leader said: “Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services have pointed to the connections between wars we have been involved in or supported and and fought in other countries, such as Libya, 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 implacably 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.

“Protecting this country requires us to be both strong against terrorism and strong against the causes of terrorism.

“The blame is with the terrorists, but if we are to protect our people we must be honest about what threatens our security.

“Those causes certainly cannot be reduced to foreign policy decisions alone.

“Over the past 15 years or so, a sub-culture of often suicidal violence has developed amongst a tiny minority of, mainly young, men, falsely drawing authority from Islamic beliefs and often nurtured in a prison system in urgent need of resources and reform.

“And no rationale based on the actions of any government can remotely excuse, or even adequately explain, outrages like this week’s massacre.

“But we must be brave enough to admit the war on terror is not working.

“We need a smarter way to reduce the threat from countries that nurture terrorists and generate terrorism.”

Mr Corbyn said that under Labour, foreign policy would be focused on”strengthening our national security in an increasingly dangerous world”.

He said: “We must support our Armed Services, Foreign Office, international development professionals and diplomats in engaging with the world in a way that reduces conflict and builds peace and security.

“Seeing the army on our own streets today is a stark reminder that the current approach isn’t really working so well.”

In a message to the armed forces, Mr Corbyn said: “I want to assure you that, under my leadership, you will only be deployed abroad when there is a clear need and only when there is a plan that has the resources to do your job to secure an outcome that delivers lasting peace.

“That is my commitment to our armed forces. That is my commitment to our country.

“I want the solidarity, humanity and compassion that we have seen on the streets of Manchester this week to be the values that guide our government.”

Mr Corbyn, who did not take any questions after his speech, sought to head off any attempts to suggest he lacked patriotism as he criticised previous governments over their handling of the security situation.

“There can be no love of country if there is neglect or disregard for its people,” he said.

“No government can prevent every terrorist attack. If an individual is determined enough and callous enough, sometimes they will get through.

“But the responsibility of government is to minimise that chance, to ensure the police have the resources they need, that our foreign policy reduces rather than increases the threat to this country, and that at home we never surrender the freedoms we have won, and that terrorists are so determined to take away.

“Too often government has got it wrong on all three counts and insecurity is growing as a result.”

In an apparent response to the criticism he has faced over his speech, Mr Corbyn said the arguments should be heard “without impugning anyone’s patriotism”.

Setting out why campaigning had to resume following the truce called in the wake of the Manchester blast, he said: “Carrying on as normal is an act of defiance – democratic defiance – of those who do reject our commitment to democratic freedoms.

“But we cannot carry on as though nothing happened in Manchester this week.

“So, let the quality of our debate, over the next two weeks be worthy of the country we are proud to defend. Let’s have our arguments without impugning anyone’s patriotism and without diluting the unity with which we stand against terror.”