KEETCH TO OPPOSE TRIDENT REPLACEMENT NOW

11.04.37pm GMT Mon 12th Mar 2007

Hereford's MP and former Liberal Democrat Defence spokesman, Paul Keetch, will oppose the Government plan to push ahead for a replacement of the UK Trident Nuclear Weapon system when it comes to the Commons for a vote this Wednesday. Mr Keetch who serves on the prestigious House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and is also one of the UK Representatives to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, says that the decision is being made now for political reasons not for strategic reasons.

"This is all part of Mr Blair's so called legacy and not for operational reasons," said Mr Keetch. "There is no reason why we need to make the decision to replace Trident now. Indeed, with the international community trying to persuade North Korea to disarm, and Iran not to go down the nuclear route, for the UK to make this decision now is most unhelpful.

"It may be that the UK should replace Trident, but that decision should be taken when it's needed not just to satisfy the personal legacy of the Prime Minister. I am surprised that Conservatives have been taken in on this issue, and ironically on the vote on Wednesday the Government may only get this through the Commons with Tory help!

"Like the situation with the Iraq War, when you need the Tories to be a strong opposition they just vote with Labour!"