In a significant and welcome development, the Government has this week conceded there is a debate to be had on the future of Trident with Philip Hammond accepting the reality of ‘complex talks about the costs and timescales for removing Trident.’
Kate Hudson, General Secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said:
‘This is a debate for the whole of the UK – both politicians and the public alike – who need to be involved in a discussion about costs and timescales that include dismantling Trident altogether.
‘With a series of key milestones on the horizon, including the referendum, the general election, a defence review and the replacement submarine decision, this is a debate the Government can no longer ignore – whether or not Britain remains a nuclear-armed state for another generation.
‘The Government is keen to give a high profile to Trident’s advocates in the armed forces. But the most significant development in the defence community debate is the emergence of those former defence chiefs, defence secretaries and security analysts who believe the case for Trident must be re-examined.
‘Alongside them, politicians from all parties are now openly questioning whether £100bn on a Cold War weapons system with no military use is really the best use of tax payers’ money.
The time for the debate is now. We welcome the Government accepting that, and more and more of us are convinced that Trident’s time is up.’