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Threat of 'major' Trident revolt Protests as MPs vote on Trident
(2 days later)
Ministers are bracing themselves for a major revolt by Scottish Labour MPs in the crucial House of Commons vote on the replacement of Trident. Demonstrators climbed onto the roof of the Scottish Parliament as part of their protest over the crucial Trident vote in the House of Commons.
Critics say the plans to replace the nuclear weapons system are unnecessary and a waste of money. Five protesters were arrested at Holyrood and another four were detained at the Faslane naval base after they tried to block the entrance.
But supporters insist it would safeguard the UK and secure thousands of jobs at Faslane on the Clyde. MPs at Westminster backed government plans to renew the nuclear weapons system, by 409 votes to 161.
A BBC survey in December found more than half of Scottish MPs were opposed to the prime minister's plans. Britain's nuclear submarine fleet is based at HMNB Clyde at Faslane.
MPs will be asked to back plans to upgrade the submarine fleet which carries the Trident weapons system, with ministers claiming the planning process is so long that decisions need to be taken now. Protesters from the Faslane Peace Camp were thought to have arrived at the Scottish Parliament about 0815 GMT on Wednesday.
It's wrong, morally, and theologically wrong Right Rev Alan McDonaldChurch of Scotland Moderator They scaled different parts of the building before unfurling a banner with the slogan "Whatever they vote, Trident is still wrong".
But critics accuse them of rushing into a mistake which could cost £25bn. YOUR VIEWSWhat you think about the debate on the future of Trident href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_should_trident_be_renewed0/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_should_trident_be_renewed0/html/1.stm', '1173886815', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures
Two Scottish members of the UK Government - deputy Commons leader Nigel Griffiths and ministerial aide Jim Devine - have already resigned so they can oppose the move. Police were called to the scene and after removing blankets and banners were able to persuade campaigners to come down.
It is understood Mr Devine, the MP for Livingston, hopes to speak during the Trident debate in the Commons. Stuart Kerr, 29, a Faslane Peace Camp member, said: "They climbed onto the parliament to raise awareness to the Trident vote."
Although defence is reserved to Westminster, the decision could well have an impact on the Scottish Parliament campaign over the coming months. Critics said the missile system was unnecessary, but supporters have insisted they safeguard the UK.
Two Scottish members of the UK Government - deputy Commons leader Nigel Griffiths and ministerial aide Jim Devine - resigned those positions so they could oppose the move.
Residents await verdict Have your say on Trident
Mr Griffiths, the Edinburgh South MP, told the Commons during the Trident debate that Britain must lead the world in eradicating the nuclear threat.
He said that after much reflection he could not bring himself to vote with the government.
MPs have been asked to back plans to upgrade the submarine fleet which carries the Trident weapons system, with ministers claiming the planning process is so long that decisions need to be taken now.
Critics accuse them of rushing into a mistake which could cost £25bn.
Although defence is reserved to Westminster, the vote could well have an impact on the Scottish Parliament campaign over the coming months.
TRIDENT MISSILE SYSTEM Missile length: 44ft (13m)Weight: 130,000lb (58,500kg)Diameter: 74 inches (1.9m)Range: More than 4,600 miles (7,400km)Power plant: Three stage solid propellant rocketCost: £16.8m ($29.1m) per missile Source: Federation of American Scientists How Trident worksTRIDENT MISSILE SYSTEM Missile length: 44ft (13m)Weight: 130,000lb (58,500kg)Diameter: 74 inches (1.9m)Range: More than 4,600 miles (7,400km)Power plant: Three stage solid propellant rocketCost: £16.8m ($29.1m) per missile Source: Federation of American Scientists How Trident works
In the BBC poll, 30 of the 59 Scottish MPs said they were either "definitely" or "probably" against replacing Trident. Before the vote, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Alan McDonald, co-signed a letter along with Roman Catholic Cardinal Keith O'Brien and Dr Idris Jones, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, encouraging all MPs to reject the renewal of Trident.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Alan McDonald, has co-signed a letter along with Roman Catholic Cardinal Keith O'Brien and Dr Idris Jones, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, encouraging all MPs to reject the renewal of Trident.
Mr McDonald said: "£20bn is an obscene amount to spend on nuclear weapons, but even if a Trident replacement cost nothing, we should still have nothing to do with it.Mr McDonald said: "£20bn is an obscene amount to spend on nuclear weapons, but even if a Trident replacement cost nothing, we should still have nothing to do with it.
"Because it's wrong, morally, and theologically wrong.""Because it's wrong, morally, and theologically wrong."
There will also be several protests across Scotland as the issue is decided in the Commons. However, locals near the Faslane base have indicated support for a new generation of Trident deterrent.
They will be held at the Faslane base, The Mound in Edinburgh and Glasgow's George Square.
If the base was to go, this would be a ghost town Dawn FurnissHelensburgh resident Residents await verdict
CND will be staging a demonstration outside Westminster during the debate.
But locals near the Faslane base have indicated support for a new generation of Trident deterrent.
Dumbarton Labour MSP Jackie Baillie claims that 7,000 people work directly at the base, with another 4,000 jobs dependent on it locally.Dumbarton Labour MSP Jackie Baillie claims that 7,000 people work directly at the base, with another 4,000 jobs dependent on it locally.
Helensburgh resident Dawn Furniss, whose husband is in the Navy, said: "If the base was to go, this would be a ghost town. There is not a lot else here to support the economy." Helensburgh resident Dawn Furniss, whose husband is in the Royal Navy, said: "If the base was to go, this would be a ghost town. There is not a lot else here to support the economy."
The UK Government said that four new submarines would cost between £15bn and £20bn, although CND and Greenpeace said that with running costs, the likely total over 50 years is more than £100bn.The UK Government said that four new submarines would cost between £15bn and £20bn, although CND and Greenpeace said that with running costs, the likely total over 50 years is more than £100bn.