Jeremy Corbyn denied that he would be “toast” if his party failed to hold on to seats in Copeland in Cumbria and Stoke-on-Trent

Jeremy Corbyn yesterday dropped his longstanding opposition to Britain’s civil nuclear power industry before a crucial by-election on the doorstep of Sellafield.

The Labour leader denied that he would be “toast” if his party failed to hold on to seats in Copeland in Cumbria and Stoke-on-Trent. The latter was triggered by the resignation of Tristram Hunt, the former shadow education secretary, on Friday.

How a nuclear power station works

Mr Corbyn markedly softened his tone on nuclear power, insisting that Britain’s civil nuclear power stations would remain “for a long time” and could expand. In the past he has called for them to be decommissioned.

His comments reflect unease over the party’s prospects in Copeland. The Conservatives are using his past comments on nuclear power to try to win over traditional