Thread by @docrussjackson

Let's take a look at Jeremy Corbyn's recent position on #NATO.

Corbyn has been a long-term critic, especially of NATO's expansion eastward, but here's a quick #THREAD on his position since he threw his notorious hat into the Labour leadership contest.

Jeremy Corbyn’s stance on #NATO before he became @UKLabour leader is often paraphrased as “wanting to pull out” of the alliance, but there's no evidence of him using this form of words.

Corbyn generally talked about wishing that #NATO would restrict its role in world affairs or agree to dissolve itself, rather than actively calling for Britain to pull out.

Official @UKLabour party policy under Corbyn's leadership was to maintain Britain’s commitment to the #NATO alliance and to continue to spend at least 2 per cent of GDP on defence.

Jeremy Corbyn has publicly supported this position for some time.

In a major foreign policy speech in 2017, he said: “It is vital that as Britain leaves the European Union, we maintain a close relationship with our European partners alongside #NATO, to keep spending at 2 per cent.”

Shortly after this speech, Emily Thornberry said Mr Corbyn had “been on a journey” since railing against #NATO at rallies, adding: “It is quite clear that the predominance of opinion within the @UKLabour party is we are committed to NATO.”