Trident Should be Ditched Not Delayed

Commenting on reports in the Sunday Herald that the key ‘Initial Gate’ decision on the replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons system has been postponed until after the General Election – SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP, vowed Labour and the Tories would not be allowed to dodge the key issue in the election campaign.

A parliamentary answer to Mr Robertson in October 2009 said the decision would be made by the end of the year, however, the MoD have now suggested it will be postponed until at least July this year, putting it beyond the general election.

Mr Robertson said:

“Renewal should not be delayed it should be ditched completely, and deferring the Initial Gate decision will not prevent this obscene waste of money from becoming a key issue in the General Election.

“The next election is about choices for the future, and with both Labour and the Tories set on massive cuts to public investment in the face of a recession which is hitting every household, it would be indefensible for a UK Government of any complexion to push ahead with Trident renewal.

“This decision has been delayed and postponed time after time because Downing Street know people do not want to waste billions on weapons of mass destruction when frontline services are under threat.

“The Scottish Parliament opposes it, the Scottish Government opposes it; defence chiefs, trade unions, religious organisations, and civil society all oppose replacing this white elephant. Any way that you look at it, on moral, economic or political grounds, renewal of these weapons of mass destruction is untenable.”