Should we replace Trident

[kwicky]

Today Tony Blair is going to say that Britain's nuclear deterrent will be updated at a cost of �30-40 billion pounds. Just like the Iraq issue he will bludgeon his own MPs into accepting it. The tories in classical style know of no alternative as that put forward by the USA so a vote in the commons is a done deal.

SHOULD THE BRITISH PUBLIC BE GIVEN A REFERENDUM ON THIS ISSUE.

Probably no one would disagree to keeping our existing nuclear system but should we engage in another arms race ,for lets face it, to go ahead with this upgrade will only encourage other states to do so. ie Russia, China etc.

[hopalong]

Yes Matt Exactly why base them on the Clyde? why not the Thames, the Tyne or the Mearsy Sorry to Liverpool if I spelt that wrong. When there is a nuclear war the first place to get hit will be the Clyde. So have Trident by o means but get it out of Scotland then lets see how the English will react to having it in there own back yard

[kwicky]

Using Scotland as a base:

I think the powers that be have got that one covered by offering to build the new subs there. That should keep them happy!

[jno]

to be honest, hopalong, if the Clyde gets nuked, I don't think England will exactly escape unscathed; the fallout from these things goes far and wide. But having your nuclear weapons in a particular place doesn't necessarily make it a target. Personally, if I was an al-Qaeda type with a nuke, I wouldn't waste my time on the Clyde (apologies to Scottish readers here...), I'd drop it straight on Westminster; wouldn't you? And I wouldn't be in the least deterred by the fact that Trident subs were roaming round the Falklands somewhere at the time.

[hopalong]

If the UK was attacked by Russia or even the USA then the Clyde would be a Target first to wipe out our nuclear deterent. You are right if terrorist attacked the UK then it probably be London.

[hopalong]

Kwicky. Why would we be happy to see nuclear subs built in Scotland?

[Gromit]

Just twigged after all these years - they are to deter the French. Now it all makes sense.

[Marky B]

We haven't used the old ones yet

[anotheoldgit]

Glad to hear you are at last coming round to my way of thinking LazyGun, there might be hope for our country yet.