Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will address a major rally in London being staged to oppose renewing the Trident nuclear weapons system, it was claimed today.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament announced that Mr Corbyn, whose party is deeply divided on the issue, had agreed to give a speech in Trafalgar Square, although Mr Corbyn’s office said nothing had been confirmed.
The rally, and a march from Hyde Park, comes ahead of a major vote in the Commons due later this year to decide plans for a replacement submarine missile system.
Labour moderate MP David Lammy today backed the rally, saying he “could not in all conscience” approve the cost of a like-for-like replacement which the Government estimates would cost up to £20 billion but critics say would be far more.
“For me the renewal of Trident is inextricably linked with the lack of resources and austerity we see across the country,” said Tottenham MP Mr Lammy.
“I could not in all conscience vote for renewal worth £31 billion or more when this is happening. For these reasons I support the demo.”
CND is hoping for a big turnout at the rally on February 27.
It claimed it was getting backing from many Labour MPs, and said Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon would also attend.
