MP backs call for Trident debate (From Lancashire Telegraph)

MP backs call for Trident debate

2:00pm Monday 19th January 2009 in Pendle

PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has welcomed the call from retired top brass to re-open the debate on Trident.

Field Marshal Lord Bramall, General Lord Ramsbotham and General Sir Hugh Beach, question whether the expenditure of billions of pounds on a nuclear weapons system update is a sensible use of resources. Mr Prentice said: “Trident is a colossal white elephant.

“Unfortunately, the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was determined to update Britain’s submarine- based nuclear weapons system, regardless of the huge cost to the Treasury and of the damage to our moral authority.

“How on earth can we tell other countries to stay away from nuclear weapons ,whilst we are busily, and expensively, updating ours?”