Lib Dem conference: Members back nuclear deterrent alternative to Trident
Aendment which proposed radical disarmament rejected
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Calls by Liberal Democrat activists for Britain's nuclear submarine fleet to be scrapped were fought off today by the party's leadership.
The party conference instead backed its proposal for the ageing fleet of four Trident submarines to be replaced in a slimmed-down form.
Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, led calls for Trident's partial replacement, describing it as a “credible and deliverable” first step towards nuclear disarmament. He told delegates: “Let's choose a policy which we can actually deliver in government.”
Mr Alexander has proposed having two or three submarines making unarmed patrols except at times of heightened international tensions.
Sir Nick Harvey, the former defence minister, said: “What we have the opportunity to do today is define the politics of the nuclear ladder.”
He said the policy could be used in future coalition talks to “lever the other political parties to climb down that ladder with us”.
Leading calls for radical disarmament, the activist George Potter said: “If you believe nuclear weapons are necessary, we should have a full deterrent.
”If we do not believe it is necessary, we should have the courage of our convictions to say so, full stop.“
The leadership's stance was backed by 322 to 228 votes.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments