All parties must talk of security

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been criticised for describing how the foreign policy of a Labour government would reduce ‘rather than increase the threat’ to the country.

It has, among many criticisms, been described as “crassly timed” given the Manchester bomb attack was just a few days ago and an insensitive case of political point scoring.

Without taking sides, we struggle to think of a better time to discuss the issue.

The attack and what our leaders can do to help combat terrorism is at the forefront of the minds of the many. This is not political point scoring, it is politics.

The General Election campaign was, quite rightly, put on hold in the immediate aftermath of the Manchester suicide bombing.

With only a matter of days until the British public go to the polls, the campaign is now back on.

In his first election campaign speech since the terror atrocity at the Manchester Arena, Mr Corbyn clearly could not ignore the issues. Quite rightly he began his address with a tribute to the “inspiring” response to the attack from all those who did what they could to help.

He then went on to describe how a Labour government would act on the world stage, adding: “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.”

Whether the critics like it or not, the awful events of last Monday will inform much of the debate between now and June 8.

We don’t just want to hear what Mr Corbyn has to say on the subject, we want to hear what every party plans to do should they achieve the highest office in the land.