LABOUR QUESTIONNED ON TRIDENT DELAY

LABOUR QUESTIONNED ON TRIDENT DELAY

TRIDENT DECISION POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER ELECTION

“DON’T JUST DELAY IT – DITCH IT” - ROBERTSON


Commenting on reports in the Sunday Herald today (Sunday) 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 question 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.”