Jeremy Corbyn to address largest anti-Trident demo ‘for a generation' today, risking confrontation with Labour MPs

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Last year the former Labour leader Neil Kinnock – who ended the party’s commitment to unilateral disarmament in 1989 – warned that voters would not back a party that attempts to axe Britain’s nuclear programme. But it’s a shame if Jeremy chooses to advertise it when we should be focusing on everyday issues and taking an active party in the EU referendum.” The Labour MP John Woodcock added: “At a time when we’ve already been plunged into unnecessary, inward-looking turmoil on this issue, choosing to speak at this demonstration on an issue which Labour cannot change would seem like a terribly divisive act. “I just hope, even at this late stage, that Jeremy and those around him recognise what many people are saying – a lot of whom are anti-Trident – that Labour should be concentrating on holding the government to account on all the things hurting families now.” open image in gallery Jeremy Corbyn will be joined at the CND rally with Nicola Sturgeon Michael Dugher, who was sacked from Mr Corbyn’s shadow cabinet last month, said: "I've nothing against old friends getting together at the weekend for a nice walk. “When the arguments are heard in the open, it soon becomes clear that spending an extortionate £183bn on Trident is bad for our security, bad for jobs creation, and bad for society as a whole when it’s draining resources from struggling public services.” “There are about 50 sites around the UK whose livelihoods depend on defence contracts, and we’re going to ask those people what they think about the Labour party effectively shutting down their jobs and we want their voices heard in this debate.” Additional reporting by Press Association