Westminster approves renewal of Trident

credit - Labour Party

Westminster has backed the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system on the Clyde by 472 votes to 117.

The House of Commons vote approves the manufacture of four replacement submarines at a current estimated cost of £31bn.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told MPs nuclear threats were growing around the world and Trident "puts doubts in the minds of our adversaries".

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Labour was split over the issue with 140 of its 230 MPs going against leader Jeremy Corbyn and backing the motion.

A total of 47 Labour members voted against renewal of the nuclear weapons system, while others abstained.

The SNP voted against retaining the weapons system at Faslane, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon appealing to Labour MPs to oppose renewal.

Corbyn, who supports scrapping Trident, allowed Labour MPs a free vote on the issue.

He said: "The funds involved in Trident renewal are massive. We must also consider the complex both moral and strategic issues of our country possessing weapons of mass destruction.

"There is also a question of its utility. Do these weapons of mass destruction, for that is what they are, act as deterrents to what we face and is that deterrent credible?"

Ahead of the vote, Sturgeon said: "SNP MPs will vote against the renewal of Trident and I hope Labour MPs will do the same.

"I think it would be unforgivable if we have a Labour Party that splits perhaps three ways on this, instead of taking a principled decision against the renewal of Trident and against the spending of perhaps £200bn on weapons that we know can never be used, that are not the right way to defend us in the modern world.

"I think it would be unforgivable if the principal opposition party didn't provide real opposition today."