TRIDENT

A senior Liberal Democrat within the UK coalition government has suggested that Britain should ‘move on from the Cold War postures of the past’ and get by with a cut-price nuclear deterrent.

Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander said a government review had identified ‘alternatives’ to a full like-for-like replacement of the Trident deterrent.

The review was ordered because of a Coalition split over the £20 billion cost of replacing Trident.

Whilst the review is expected to conclude there is no serious alternative to the submarine-based system if Britain wants to maintain a continuous deterrent safe from enemy attack, Mr Alexander has said there are alternatives in moving from the Cold war postures of the past to a new future with a deterrent that is credible and one to which the UK can play a role in supporting disarmament.

Trident: Lib Dems want alternatives

Trident relies on four Vanguard submarines based at Faslane on the Clyde to provide a continuous deterrent. A cheaper system involving only two would, according to supporters of those wishing to maintain a full Trident complement, expose the UK to periods of vulnerability.

Conservative MP Julian Lewis said Mr Alexander’s comments suggested the Lib Dems would push for a reduced deterrent that would put Britain at risk. ‘It is the height of irresponsibility,’ he said.

John Woodcock, Labour MP for Barrow, where Britain’s submarines are built, said:

… Few will take the Liberal Democrats seriously if they claim Britain could make do with a part-time deterrent.

Faslane and the neighbouring Coulport naval base employ 6,700 people.

But Trident is based solely in Scotland. The Scottish Government have promised that Trident will be removed if the people of Scotland vote for independence in next year’s independence referendum. There is much antipathy in Scotland in maintaining a nuclear deterrent on Scottish soil, although it is believed the missile deterrent would have to be phased-out over a period of time due to decommissioning and other demobilisation considerations.