Labour outflanked Theresa May on defence yesterday with a clear commitment to retaining the UK’s status as a “tier one” military power.

Nia Griffith, the shadow defence secretary, said the party supported a full spectrum of military capability, from conventional and cyberforces to nuclear weapons. Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has said he would not use the Royal Navy’s Trident nuclear missiles in anger.

Ms Griffith said at the Royal United Services Institute think tank: “Look at what Labour has committed to, and what you would consider a tier-one power to require. An independent nuclear deterrent? Yes. Good conventional capabilities? Yes. And in the changing threat climate, taking steps forward when it comes to cyber and technology — yes. So yes, it is absolutely