Jeremy Corbyn has hinted that Britain should seek warmer diplomatic relations with Russia as he called for the UK to treat its international opponents with more respect.
With the hard-left MP heading for a landslide victory in the Labour leadership contest after a poll put him on 53 per cent of the vote, his policy stances are becoming increasingly important as the prospect of him being the official leader of the Opposition edges closer to reality.
In an interview with the state-run Russia Today TV station, which Mr Corbyn has made favourable remarks towards in the past, he suggested national security would be rethought if he was elected Prime Minister.
He told the channel: "What is security? Is security the ability to bomb, maim, kill, destroy, or is security the ability to get on with other people and have some kind of respectful existence with them?"
During the Royal Wedding in 2011 and at a time of the revolution in Libya, Mr Corbyn, a republican, told his Twitter followers to watch Russia Today for a “more objective” coverage of the news. He tweeted: "Try Russia Today. Free of Royal Wedding and more objective on Libya than most."
@andrewsberry68 Try Russia Today. Free of Royal Wedding and more objective on Libya than most
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) April 26, 2011
The Government’s foreign policy could be changed before any possible election of Mr Corbyn into Downing Street.
There have been reports that the Government is prepared to delay a vote on carrying out airstrikes on Syria targets as ministers are concerned they will not have the crucial support of a Labour party under Mr Corbyn.
Mr Burnham has also raised concerns, saying his tests for approving airstrikes in Syria were “quite big”.
An official told the Financial Times that it “would make sense to wait” before asking MPs to vote on the issue.
