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PM's power questioned after vote Blair questions after rebellion
(10 minutes later)
Some politicians are questioning Tony Blair's authority after his plans to renew Trident saw his biggest Commons revolt since the Iraq war vote. Tony Blair's authority has been questioned after his plans to renew the UK's nuclear weapons system sparked the biggest Commons revolt since Iraq.
The government won Commons support for the plan to renew the UK's nuclear weapons system, despite 95 Labour MPs voting for the decision to be delayed. The government won Commons support for renewing Trident, despite 95 Labour MPs voting for the decision to be delayed.
Baroness Betty Boothroyd said the backbench rebellion showed Mr Blair had become a "lame duck" prime minister.Baroness Betty Boothroyd said the backbench rebellion showed Mr Blair had become a "lame duck" prime minister.
The plans were supported by 409 MPs and 161 were against - a majority of 248. But party chairwoman Hazel Blears said any Labour leader would have met the same response on such a divisive issue.
The government needed Conservative support to push the measure through. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The issue of nuclear weapons has always been an incredibly emotional decision in the Labour Party, but even on this issue, a majority of Labour backbenchers did support this decision."
It was about us doing what we believed to be the right thing, rather than supporting the government Liam FoxConservative defence spokesman href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6452315.stm">List of Labour rebels 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 href="/1/hi/uk/4438392.stm">How Trident works
She added: "I think any Labour leader would have found themselves in exactly the same position, Tony Blair or whoever else."
She said that Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is widely expected to succeed Mr Blair when he stands down as prime minister later this year, also supported the renewal of the Trident submarines.
The plans were supported by 409 MPs and 161 were against - a majority of 248. The government needed Conservative support to push the measure through.
Earlier 413 MPs rejected a bid to delay the decision, with 167 MPs - including 95 from Labour - wanting a delay.Earlier 413 MPs rejected a bid to delay the decision, with 167 MPs - including 95 from Labour - wanting a delay.
Tony Blair had said it was "essential" the UK began the £20bn plan to renew Trident as soon as possible.
Baroness Boothroyd, the former Labour MP and speaker of the House of Commons, was asked about the issue on BBC 2's Newsnight.Baroness Boothroyd, the former Labour MP and speaker of the House of Commons, was asked about the issue on BBC 2's Newsnight.
'Losing authority'
She said: "I don't think that any prime minister wants to get some major issue like that on opposition votes, but he had no alternative but to rely on those votes."She said: "I don't think that any prime minister wants to get some major issue like that on opposition votes, but he had no alternative but to rely on those votes."
She added: "He's losing authority and he's now becoming a lame duck, I'm sorry to say."She added: "He's losing authority and he's now becoming a lame duck, I'm sorry to say."
'Losing authority' Few issues can divide Labour so instantly or comprehensively as this one BBC's Nick Assinder class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6451615.stm">Analysis: Debate over? class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6450339.stm">Celebrities join opponents
Rebels included 16 former ministers, including four ex-Cabinet members.Rebels included 16 former ministers, including four ex-Cabinet members.
On the government's motion to proceed with renewal there were 88 Labour rebels.On the government's motion to proceed with renewal there were 88 Labour rebels.
It was the first time MPs had been given the chance to vote on whether Britain should remain a nuclear power.It was the first time MPs had been given the chance to vote on whether Britain should remain a nuclear power.
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 class="" href="/1/hi/uk/4438392.stm">How Trident works Protesters cheered
Several hundred demonstrators were gathered outside Parliament, and cheered when they heard the scale of the rebellion. Several hundred demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, and cheered when they heard the scale of the rebellion.
Between £15bn and £20bn is due to be spent on new submarines to carry the Trident missiles. The fleet would take 17 years to develop and build, and would then last until about 2050.Between £15bn and £20bn is due to be spent on new submarines to carry the Trident missiles. The fleet would take 17 years to develop and build, and would then last until about 2050.
Defence minister Adam Ingram, speaking after the vote, said he had heard some "disgraceful" speeches from Labour rebels, but it had been a "strong and healthy" debate.
Conservative defence spokesman Liam Fox said the plan was a "sound, sensible" policy that would ensure the UK would not be subject to "nuclear blackmail" from other states.
"It was about us doing what we believed to be the right thing, rather than supporting the government," he said.
'It's not on'
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who voted for a decision to be delayed, said: "The government's got its way, but it's a humiliation for the prime minister that on a policy to which he has attached his own personal reputation he is unable to carry the House of Commons without the votes of the Conservative Party.
"It's a bit like the Iraq vote once again."
SNP leader Alex Salmond said he believed most Scottish MPs, from all parties, had opposed the plans - and he thought the vote would damage Labour's chances in the forthcoming Scottish elections.
Few issues can divide Labour so instantly or comprehensively as this one BBC's Nick Assinder Analysis: Debate over? Celebrities join opponents
He said ministers were "trying to impose on an unwilling country, nuclear weapons of mass destruction for the next 50 years - it's just not on".
Speaking during prime minister's questions before the nuclear weapons debate got under way, Mr Blair said: "I think it's right we take the decision now to begin work on replacing the Trident nuclear submarines.
"I think that is essential for our security in an uncertain world.
"I believe it is important that we recognise that, although it is impossible to predict the future, the one thing... that is certain, is the unpredictability of it."
'Uncertain world'
Conservative leader David Cameron agreed, saying: "Replacing Britain's independent nuclear deterrent is clearly in the national interest. The decision needs to be taken now."
Some Labour MPs wanted an assurance that Parliament would be able to revisit the Trident issue in the future.
Mr Blair said that was always a possibility.
HAVE YOUR SAY We should not waste billions renewing Trident George, Malvern Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY We should not waste billions renewing Trident George, Malvern Send us your comments
Tony Blair argued that it was "essential for our security in an uncertain world" that the UK began the plan to renew Trident as soon as possible.
Conservative defence spokesman Liam Fox said the plan was a "sound, sensible" policy that would ensure the UK would not be subject to "nuclear blackmail" from other states.
But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, who voted for a decision to be delayed, said the vote was "a humiliation for the prime minister".
Mr Blair said that was always a possibility that Parliament would be able to revisit the Trident issue in the future.
Back in December he told Parliament that submarine numbers could be cut from four to three, while the number of nuclear warheads would be cut by 20% to below 160.Back in December he told Parliament that submarine numbers could be cut from four to three, while the number of nuclear warheads would be cut by 20% to below 160.
Deputy Commons leader Nigel Griffiths and ministerial aide Jim Devine quit earlier this week over the issue.Deputy Commons leader Nigel Griffiths and ministerial aide Jim Devine quit earlier this week over the issue.
Stephen Pound - parliamentary private secretary to Labour chairman Hazel Blears - did the same on Wednesday, followed by Chris Ruane, parliamentary private secretary to Mr Hain.Stephen Pound - parliamentary private secretary to Labour chairman Hazel Blears - did the same on Wednesday, followed by Chris Ruane, parliamentary private secretary to Mr Hain.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett opened the debate, saying: "Maintaining a nuclear deterrent remains a premium worth paying on an insurance policy for this nation."