Dave:
Nigel "clearly stated by a leading Conservative" is just a euphemism for a lie :-)
No, it was pointing to a statement that funding for 'conscription' would be coming (partly) from the 'levelling up' funds. (which is something SPB claimed wasn't being admitted)

If you start with the belief that anything the Conservatives say will be lies then it's only worth listening to the Labour side of any argument.
But if you do that you'll only ever get one side, and that will also probably contain lies, but presumably Labour lies are acceptable.

Welcome to the echo-chamber.