Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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BN7 2LJ.
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Local MP Calls for national Trident debate
Local MP Norman Baker, has called for the Government to honour its commitment to allow a full public debate on the replacement of Trident, the UK’s nuclear missile defence system, and to ensure that the timing of any vote on the issue allows space and time to decide how to go forward.
Mr Baker made the call in a motion on the final day of the Lib Dem Conference in Brighton in the wake of figures, revealed by the Lib Dems, indicating that the true cost of replacing and operating the Trident nuclear missile system is likely to be at least £76bn.
Mr Baker used his speech on the motion to highlight the ample time available for making a decision on whether to replace Trident. He also indicated he has significant doubts as to whether Trident should be replaced at all for the following reasons:
- Trident has not been aimed at any particular state or threat since 1993 and, in any case, is reportedly only 'ready to fire' within days.
- The cost of replacing and maintaining Trident is huge. We have to question how many conventional troops, intelligence gathering, schools and hospitals this sum could fund for the country and whether it would be better used for those purposes.
- Trident is a system designed to protect against attacks from other states but is unable to provide any protection from terrorist attacks which arguably pose the greater national threat today.
- Replacing Trident would be a Western double standard that sets a poor example for other would-be-nuclear states such as Iran.
The local MP has also lent his backing to a campaign launched yesterday calling for Government to publish comprehensive information on Trident and facilitate a national debate.
Commenting on the motion, Norman said:
"I think it's appalling and irresponsible for the government to try to hastily force any agreement on Trident through Parliament when there has not been proper consultation or time for reflection. There is no need for an early decision.
"With estimated costs of replacement as high as £76bn the question has to be asked whether this money could be better spent, particularly in light of the fact that Trident is a defence system that is unable to protect us from many of the most serious of contemporary threats to national security. Trident was introduced in an era where the threat to the UK was from other states but nowadays the situation is very different. Sub-state terrorism simply cannot be fought or deterred with a nuclear missile system.
"The question of whether or not to replace Trident is of huge importance to this country. This is why I believe the Lib Dems should be putting pressure on the Government to allow a full national debate."