Trident decision is driven by Blair's agenda not what's best for Britain

7.00.00pm GMT Mon 4th Dec 2006

Speaking on BBC radio Northampton this lunchtime Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson for Northampton North Andrew Simpson criticised the Labour Government's decision to replace Trident missiles as "the wrong decision at the wrong time".

"This is all about Tony Blair getting this pushed through before he leaves office so that his heir apparent, Gordon Brown, doesn't have to deal with a n issue that splits the Labour party" said Andrew. "Yet again Labour party politics is put before the good of the Country".

Liberal Democrats have called for Britain's current nuclear missile capabilities to be cut in half to 100 war heads and want to see this reduction used to kick start multilateral disarmament talks.

"All nations should be looking to reduce the nuclear arsenals around the world" said Andrew "It is crazy that at the very time Britain and the US are condemning other nations for wanting to get nuclear weapons we are talking about increasing our capabilities, 100 war heads is more than enough".

Liberal Democrats are calling for the life of the current Trident system to be extended to 2014 with a decision on whether it is replaced by 2010. So allowing for more time to consider all options and assess the world situation.

"If Britain is to replace Trident then it is important that it is a genuine minimum independent system" continued Andrew.

Nationally the Lib Dems are currently in favour of maintaining Britain's independent nuclear capability but the party is due to debate the issue at their Conference in the Spring.

Related Link:

Click here for more information on the Lib Dem position on Trident.