Trident and tested

 

We all like to feel safe; nobody can deny that – it’s a basic human need. 

However, I believe that during this time of imposed austerity – supported by both Labour and their Tory friends (who of course we remember worked shoulder-to-shoulder in Scotland) it is immoral to waste billions upon billions of pounds on WMD such as Trident. 

This report from the Scottish Herald didn’t fill me with confidence. A £37 million deal has been struck by Westminster with the US government for a dozen huge new Trident missile launchers more than a year before the UK parliament decides if the nuclear weapons system should be renewed.  

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/revealed-mods-new-multi-million-pound-trident-deal-with-america.25941179

The Huffington Posts headline of ‘The Government Is Sidestepping Parliament in a Push for Trident Replacement’ was even worse!

For any party to wish to waste money on WMD seems ridiculous for the reasons outlined above. Can you imagine the difference 1% of Trident spending would have on improving Wales’ economy and even Llanelli’s! Imagine the difference 100% would make – it’s a simple principle – SPEND TO SAVE LIVES NOT END THEM. It’s sad to see Labour along with their Tory friends supporting Trident. Perhaps they can explain to the people why they are putting death before decency.

This is at a time where we see and record growth in food banks, we see people having to choose between heating and eating and we see pay packets getting thinner and thinner.

We are due to spend £97 billion on new nuclear weapons at a time when public spending faces deep cuts.

Trident may be retained after Labour rejects Lib Dem idea of three nuclear subs

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/trident-may-be-retained-after-labour-rejects-lib-dem-idea-of-three-nuclear-subs-8710216.html

We should be spending these billions on people, on the poor, on our hospitals, schools and public services – we should be supporting people not paying for weapons to kill them.