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For immediate release: 08 november 2006
With only a week until the Queen’s Speech, a majority of backbench
MPs have now demanded a debate on the replacement of the UK’s Trident
nuclear weapons system.
271 MPs (53%) across all parties have signed at least one of eight Early
Day Motions1 laid down in this Parliamentary session on one of the most
controversial decisions this government will have to make.
Of these, 117 Labour MPs (55%) have demanded a debate, including the former
Foreign Office Minister Chris Mullin, the Labour members of the Foreign
Affairs Select Committee Fabian Hamilton, Eric Illsely, Sandra Osborne
and Ken Purchase and the Labour members of the Defence Select Committee
David Borrow, David Hamilton and Brian Jenkins.
The growing pressure on the government to open the debate has meant ministers,
including the Prime Minister as well as Margaret Beckett, Des Browne and
Jack Straw have repeatedly stated their commitment to the debate but they
have as yet failed to initiate it.
MPs as well as campaigners are concerned at the government’s commitment
to spending tens of billions of pounds on weapons of mass destruction
when other important areas require huge public spending.
Recently, the Labour Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Climate
Change Colin Challen MP said, “The cost of Trident is too great
since it doesn't seem to have a strategic purpose any more. We can't fight
climate change militarily and it's the greatest threat we face. Logically,
that means we don't spend money on Trident but on mitigation and adaptation
measures for climate change."2
Kate Hudson, Chair of CND, said: “The Prime Minister has stated
that a decision will be made on replacing Trident this year, and the government
has stated its commitment to a public debate. But time is drawing
on and we have yet to see the government facilitating any such debate.
No minister has yet made a convincing case for a replacement and with
growing public demands to tackle climate change, the government must consider
what are its spending priorities to ensure a secure future for the country.
A full debate and parliamentary decision on these issues is essential
when these issues confronting Britain are so crucial to our future. An
announcement of the timetable for debate would be a welcome inclusion
in the Queen's speech next week.”
end
Notes to Editor:
1. The 8 EDMs calling for a debate on Trident are: 649,
1113,
1197,
2575,
2652,
2694,
2702,
and 2703.
A list of the MPs who have signed each EDM can be seen at http://www.cnduk.org/pages/tracker.htm
or contact the CND Press Office for a copy of the spreadsheet.
2. The Guardian, “Could
Scrapping Trident Save the Planet?”, 04.11.06
3. An ICM poll from June 2006 showed that 81% of the British public believes
that any decision on Trident replacement should be made by Parliament,
not the Prime Minister alone. Click
here for a full copy of the poll.
4. According to a July 2006 ICM poll, 59% of the British public opposes
a replacement of Trident when presented with a cost of at least £25
billion. Click
here for a full copy of the poll.
5. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman,
CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
6. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s
biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the
UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.
www.cnduk.org
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