Former Tory leader Michael Howard backs replacement of Trident in reply to Greenpeace campaign letter against it....
Letter received from my MP Michael Howard, replying to Greenpeace campaign letter against Trident renewal. (Have sickbag ready as usual...)
House of Commons, London. 4 December 2006.
Dear Mr ................
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding he upcoming decision on the future of the Trident nuclear weapon system.
During the 1980's the then Conservative government published a series of open government defence documents that aired arguments about the decision to replace Polaris with Trident. I have signed Early Day Motion 1113 which urges the Ministry of Defence to do likewise today so that Parliament can be fully briefed in order to debate this vital issue.
The Government's Defence White paper published in 2003 described the nuclear deterrent as the 'ultimate guarantor of the UK's national security'. Thus is a statement I endorse. No-one can accurately predict the threats that the UK will face in 20 or 30 years time. I therefore believe it is a strategic imperative that we replace our nuclear deterrent when the time comes. They are still vital as a deterrent, especially with the proliferation of both nuclear wapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
The last Conservative Government began the process of major reductions in the UK's stockpiles of nuclear weapons, whilst at the same time ensuring that Britain retained enough to deter aggression. This Government has further reduced the number of nuclear weapons since 1997, and the Prime Minister has today announced a further twenty percent reduction in warheads. I will continue to support multi-lateral nuclear disarmament and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
In announcing today that the Governent will build a new class of submarines to replace the current Vanguard Class, the Prime Minister has indicated that the fleet may be reduced from four to three. I support the maintanance of an effective nuclear deterrent that allows the UK to keep at least one submarine on patrol at any time.
I am grateful to you for writing. Yours sincerely. Michael Howard.
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House of Commons, London. 4 December 2006.
Dear Mr ................
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding he upcoming decision on the future of the Trident nuclear weapon system.
During the 1980's the then Conservative government published a series of open government defence documents that aired arguments about the decision to replace Polaris with Trident. I have signed Early Day Motion 1113 which urges the Ministry of Defence to do likewise today so that Parliament can be fully briefed in order to debate this vital issue.
The Government's Defence White paper published in 2003 described the nuclear deterrent as the 'ultimate guarantor of the UK's national security'. Thus is a statement I endorse. No-one can accurately predict the threats that the UK will face in 20 or 30 years time. I therefore believe it is a strategic imperative that we replace our nuclear deterrent when the time comes. They are still vital as a deterrent, especially with the proliferation of both nuclear wapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
The last Conservative Government began the process of major reductions in the UK's stockpiles of nuclear weapons, whilst at the same time ensuring that Britain retained enough to deter aggression. This Government has further reduced the number of nuclear weapons since 1997, and the Prime Minister has today announced a further twenty percent reduction in warheads. I will continue to support multi-lateral nuclear disarmament and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
In announcing today that the Governent will build a new class of submarines to replace the current Vanguard Class, the Prime Minister has indicated that the fleet may be reduced from four to three. I support the maintanance of an effective nuclear deterrent that allows the UK to keep at least one submarine on patrol at any time.
I am grateful to you for writing. Yours sincerely. Michael Howard.
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