Last night’s Labour rebellion over the Conservatives’ fiscal charter was smaller than party whips originally feared. Twenty one of Jeremy Corbyn’s MPs abstained, rather than voting against the measure. But an issue on which Labour is far more divided is Trident. Only a handful of shadow cabinet members (Diane Abbott, John McDonnell, Jon Trickett, Ian Murray) share Corbyn’s unilateralist stance, with a majority, including shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle, opposed.
The “maingate” vote on Trident renewal has long been scheduled for next year (around June) but the Tories are reportedly considering bringing it forward to December to exploit Labour’s divisions. Eagle denounced the plan as a “despicable attempt to play politics” when I interviewed her this week.
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