Europe

UK Labour leader accuses Theresa May of 'pandering' to Trump

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Britain's Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to the media outside the Institute of Engineering in London, where a party meeting took place as they deal with the fallout from the sensational leak of its draft General Election manifesto. Thursday May 11, 2017. The British electorate will vote in a general election on June 8. (Yui Mok/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking about national security and foreign policy at Chatham House in London, Friday May 12, 2017. British voters head to the polls for a general election on June 8. (David Mirzeoff/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking about national security and foreign policy during a campaign stop at Chatham House in London, Friday May 12, 2017. Britain's voters head to the polls for a general election on June 8. (David Mirzeoff/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain's main opposition leader has accused Prime Minister Theresa May of pandering to an "erratic" U.S. administration, as defense and security take center-stage in the U.K. election campaign.

May was the first world leader to visit Donald Trump after his inauguration, and has stressed the importance of the trans-Atlantic "special relationship."

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn says "waiting to see which way the wind blows in Washington isn't strong leadership. And pandering to an erratic administration will not deliver stability."

Corbyn, who opposed the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, said in a speech Friday at the Chatham House think tank that he supports military action "as a last resort."

May's Conservatives see Corbyn's opposition to military intervention and nuclear weapons as a major weakness to be exploited in the election campaign.