Blair Wins Trident Vote
Wednesday March 14, 2007
The Commons has approved a multi-billion pound renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system.
MPs voted in favour by 409 votes to 161, a majority of 248, but around 85 Labour MPs rebelled and four had quit over the row.
Although the majority was comfortable, the Government needed the support of Conservatives to get the motion passed.
At Prime Minister's questions, Tony Blair insisted that Britain had to maintain an independent deterrent.
He said the 17 year time span needed to bring in the new systems meant work had to start immediately.
"We have to take the decision now," he said.
The vote paves the way for the Government to spend up to £20bn on a new fleet of nuclear missile submarines to replace the ageing Trident system.
Throughout the day demonstrations took place across the country against updating the UK's nuclear deterrent.
Four protesters were arrested after draping an anti-nuclear banner across the roof of the Scottish parliament.
Demonstrators also gathered at Faslane on the Clyde where Britain's submarine fleet is based.
And anti-nuclear campaigners held a rally in London to coincide with the Commons vote.
After the vote, Kate Hudson, chairwomen of CND, said: "This decision represents a serious democratic deficit.
"A recent poll showed that 72% of the British public do not want the Government to replace Trident now.
"How is it that so many MPs, and the Government itself, is able to so wilfully ignore those they are meant to represent?"
The four MPs quit over the issue were Deputy Commons leader Nigel Griffiths and ministerial aide Jim Devine along with parliamentary private secretaries Stephen Pound and Chris Ruane.
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