Starmer weakens pledges on military action votes and Saudi arms sales

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. When running to succeed Jeremy Corbyn in 2020, Sir Keir promised a Prevention of Military Intervention Act under commitments to prevent “more illegal wars”. But he added: “I’m not ruling out law.” In 2020, Sir Keir said the UK “should stop the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia” over concerns about their use in the Yemen civil war. Labour’s Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has urged Sir Keir to “stick to your guns” on the policy to invest in the future. That’s why we will invest £28 billion in total by the second half of the Parliament, subject of course to what the Government has already assigned to put in on green prosperity, and of course within our fiscal rules.” Pressed if the policy will be in the manifesto, he said: “In the way I’ve just described, then yes, of course.” The Conservatives accused Sir Keir not being able to say “what he’d do differently” as he “just snipes from the sidelines”.