The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, asked me to conduct a review of policy options on the replacement of Trident on the assumption that in the present economic climate the United Kingdom could not afford a like for like replacement of the existing four boat fleet.
I invited Nick Harvey MP, Liberal Democrat spokesman on Defence, to join me in that review. We invited submissions from members and organisations in the Liberal Democrat party including Alan Reid MP for Argyll and Bute (and hence for Faslane the home port of the present Trident fleet) and we sought out the views of a number of well qualified experts in the field. We have not thought it necessary to reproduce all the submissions and evidence which we received but we are most grateful to all those who contributed to our thinking. Suffice it to say that we have received a full range of views from those who argue that without a four boat fleet operating a regime of continuous at sea deterrence patrols there is little point in having a deterrent to others who argue that the present circumstances allow the UK to take a principled decision to rid ourselves of nuclear weapons once and for all.
Welcoming the review, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:
“After wide consultation with security policy experts, Menzies Campbell has produced a thoroughgoing analysis which clearly demonstrates that there are credible alternatives to the like-for-like replacement of Trident.
“This report destroys the myth perpetuated by Labour and the Conservatives that Britain has to choose between full-scale Trident or unilateralism.
“Excluding Trident from the defence review is both absurd and irresponsible.”
You can read and download the paper “POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS” here.
