What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jeremy Corbyn today urged Theresa May not to ‘obediently applaud’ Donald Trump’s plan for more troops to be sent to Afghanistan.

The Labour leader said the war in Afghanistan had “failed”, and the US President’s troop surge would “continue this failure.”

It comes after Trump last night signalled a “new strategy” for the region, increasing troop numbers and funding for America’s longest ever war.

And he expects Britain and other NATO allies to follow suit, matching US funding and troops.

Speaking at Fort Myer, Near Washington DC, President Trump said: “We will ask our Nato allies and global partners to support our new strategy with additional troop and funding increases in line with our own - we are confident they will."

Mr Corbyn said: “The war in Afghanistan has failed. After 16 years of bloodshed and destruction, the Taliban are undefeated and terrorism is no less of a threat at home. In fact it has spread.

“The British Government should make clear to Donald Trump that his strategy of more bombing and a new troop surge will continue this failure, not obediently applaud his latest policy U-turn.

Trump has long been a critic of the conflict, branding it a “total and complete disaster” and calling for the US to pull out of Afghanistan and spend the money at home instead.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

"My original instinct was to pull out," he said.

But he claimed having examined the evidence since becoming President, it is clear that a sudden withdrawal would have "predictable and unacceptable" results for American security.

He seemingly backed a Pentagon plan to shore up the Afghanistan government and end a stalemate with the Taliban by sending more forces after nearly 16 years of the war, but refused to discuss numbers.

poll loading Do you agree with Trump's decision? 0+ VOTES SO FAR Yes No

Trump also warned Pakistan the US will no longer tolerate the country being a "safe haven" for terrorists.

And he hinted that he would ask India to put more pressure on their neighbour.

Current U.S. troop numbers are about 8,400.