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Blair confident on winning vote to renew nuclear weapons

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, July 12, IRNA
UK Vote-Nuclear Weapons
Prime Minister Tony Blair Wednesday appeared confident that his government would win any vote later this year on replacing Britain's ageing nuclear weapons capability.

Questioned during prime minister's questions, Blair said there was a "strong possibility" he would allow MPs to vote on the future of the country's submarine-based Trident nuclear missiles.

"I would point out that we have given a vote on very, very sensitive issues before and of course that is one strong possibility in relation to this particular case," he said when asked whether there would be a parliamentary vote.

His comments came as legislatures in the House of Commons challenged the prime minister about the future of Britain's nuclear deterrence, which has been a major issue ever since Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown stated his support for a replacement.

Anti-war Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn questioned whether the government was still committed to its obligations under the nuclear
non-proliferation treaty, which calls on the five main nuclear powers to steadily reduce their nuclear weapons.

"Rearming reduces any moral clout we have in encouraging other states not to develop nuclear weapons," Corbyn said.

But the prime minister insisted that Britain had made "considerable reductions" in its nuclear arsenal.

"Of course it is true that over time, if we can negotiate the terms of this, we want to see a reduction in nuke capability world wide. But it has to be done through negotiation," he said.

Another Labour backbencher, David Hamilton, said that Defence Secretary Des Browne had told MPs on Tuesday that there would be significant discussion on the issue of Trident replacement before a decision was taken later this year.

"Surely it is right, irrespective of one's point of view, that the power comes back to the House to make the optimum decision? That is exactly how that should happen and the vote should be taken here," he said.

The prime minister replied that the exact form of consultation that would follow the government's decision on the issue had yet to be decided.

Conservative MP Richard Beyon also chided Blair that he would likely win a parliamentary despite a rebellion from Labour MPs because of support from opposition parties.

"Why is the prime minister so determined to avoid a vote in the House on the nuclear deterrent? He may not have support from but he certainly does from this side of the House," Beyon said.

Blair replied that he was "not at all averse to votes in this House on extremely sensitive issues and I'm no doubt there will be a vigorous debate on this."
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