5 Issues That Will Make This Labour Conference The Most Unpredictable In A Generation

    Jeremy Corbyn’s first conference as leader starts on Sunday. So what are the key debates to watch out for?

    Labour is getting ready for its most closely watched conference in two decades. Thousands of party members will flock to Brighton on Sunday for four days of debates, speeches, and fringe events that will attract far more interest than usual.

    Just two weeks ago, veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader by a landslide. Now the world will be watching as Labour thrashes out its position on issues many thought had long been resolved, in what is being dubbed a battle for the party's soul. Here BuzzFeed News sets out the key moments to look out for.

    Will the party oppose Trident?

    Labour members are likely to get a vote on the future of Britain's nuclear submarine fleet on Monday – which will expose a deep ideological split between left and centrist wings of the party.

    As former chair of the Stop the War Coalition, Corbyn has long opposed nuclear weapons and the renewal of Trident. But he has backed down since his election and said he wouldn't force his own views on the party.

    The motion on "Britain's defence capability" is likely to be one of eight picked from 12 possible motions – including the NHS, rail, and the refugee crisis – to be debated at conference. Labour members get to vote on which motions to choose on Sunday and the results will be announced that evening. Then the exact wording will be decided.

    If the motion is picked, as is widely expected, it's not yet clear how the vote will go. It will largely depend on union delegates – the GMB is in favour of renewal because of the defence jobs at risk while Unison is strongly opposed.

    But if the conference does decide to scrap Trident and Corbyn formally adopts that position – as he has said he would – he could face shadow cabinet resignations. The motion would be heard on Monday as part of a debate on "Britain in the world".

    Will the party endorse Corbyn's vow to scrap the benefits cap?

    Labour's stance on the benefits cap will be one the key themes running throughout the conference. There is a debate on "work and business" on Monday afternoon, which will include a short speech by shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

    A motion on "social security" could also be debated during that session but that will be decided on Sunday evening. Corbyn has vowed to scrap the Conservatives' benefits cap entirely – despite some frontbenchers saying they back it in principle.

    At the moment, households are restricted to claiming a maximum of £26,000 in benefits a year. The Tories want to reduce this limit to £20,000, and £23,000 in London. While shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith is against this reduction, he believes it would be "foolhardy" to oppose the cap altogether because most people back it.

    Meanwhile there could be tensions on the anti-austerity path set out by McDonnell. Heidi Alexander, the new shadow health secretary, has co-authored a pamphlet warning of Labour's "current reputation for profligacy". Together with MP Liam Byrne and Shabana Mahmood, the ex-shadow Treasury chief secretary, she said Labour simply needed to be trusted with public money again.

    Will Labour support air strikes in Syria?

    Syria is on the minds of many Labour members as David Cameron gears up for a Commons vote on whether to join the US in targeting ISIS militants in the war-torn country. Corbyn has long opposed military action in Syria but a string of Labour frontbenchers are ready to defy him on the issue.

    Labour activists could get their say in a debate on foreign affairs on Monday, as well as a possible motion on Syria the same day. Corbyn has indicated he would allow Labour MPs to have a free vote on air strikes.

    Will Corbyn flip-flop on the EU again?

    Corbyn's equivocation over Britain's membership of the EU could prove awkward during a debate on Europe. Former cabinet minister Alan Johnson, the chair of Labour's In campaign for the EU referendum, will make a speech on Monday following a short debate on the issue.

    During the leadership contest Corbyn refused to rule out campaigning for an Out vote as he warned that David Cameron could "trade away workers' rights" in his EU negotiations. But under pressure from MPs, he clarified his position and vowed to oppose Brexit.

    His flip-flopping will no doubt also be discussed at a fringe meeting on Monday evening, where speakers will include shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden and MP Chuka Umunna.

    Will the party change its position on Northern Ireland?

    With Jeremy Corbyn & the comrades @ Portcullis House, Westminster.

    The Northern Ireland debate is one of the first of the week, taking place on Sunday afternoon. Corbyn raised eyebrows in Westminster this week by declaring that he supports a united Ireland. He was accused of undermining the peace process by telling the New Statesman that a unified Ireland was "an aspiration that I have always gone along with".

    It came a week after his shadow chancellor John McDonnell apologised for saying in 2003 that the IRA should be "honoured" for taking part in the "armed struggle".

    Both the UK and Irish governments support a "principle of consent" which means the people, not politicians, decide on unification. Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Vernon Coaker insisted that Labour's position had not changed. But the Democratic Unionists have called on the party to "clarify its position on the principle of consent".

    The rough timetable

    Labour isn't releasing a formal agenda in advance but will instead set out details of each day's events the night before. Here is roughly what to expect.

    Sunday 27 September:

    – Ballot held among Labour members for the "contemporary motions" to be debated during the week. Up to eight can be selected from the following subjects: austerity and public services, Britain's defence capability, employment rights, Europe, housing, licence fee, mental health, NHS, rail, refugee crisis, social security, and Syria.

    – Debate on Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.

    Monday 28 September:

    – Debate on foreign affairs, defence, Europe, and international development. Speakers include Alan Johnson, chair of Labour's In campaign for the EU referendum, and shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn.

    – Debate on work and business. Speakers include shadow chancellor John McDonnell and shadow business secretary Angela Eagle.

    – Debate on culture, media, and sport.

    Tuesday 29 September:

    – Debate on energy, environment, transport, local government, and housing.

    – Speech from Jeremy Corbyn.

    Wednesday 30 September:

    – Debate on justice, home affairs, health, and education.

    – Closing speech from deputy leader Tom Watson.