Scotland's unions demand Trident cancellation

(Friday 24 April 2009)

by Malcolm Burns in Perth

Congress reaffirmed its opposition to the Trident submarine missile system, calling on the government to cancel the programme of Trident replacement and work with the Scottish government and others to diversify Scotland’s economy.

Tommy Morrison of Clydebank TUC said: "Trident is weapon designed for a bygone era, irrelevant to our security needs today. And with the economy facing meltdown, rising unemployment and repossessions, Trident is bordering on the insane."

Mr Morrison said: "We need a job diversification programme to protect the defence workers. The STUC and CND have provided evidence to prove this is possible."

Congress also demanded full parliamentary debate and scrutiny on the issue of Trident replacement.

Arthur West of Kilmarnock & Loudoun TUC said: "The cost of replacing Trident is truly eye-watering, now estimated at over £66bn to replace and maintain. A really worrying aspect is the lack of parliamentary debate and scrutiny. The government is moving onto what is known as the Initial Gate stage, and a report is due to go to ministers in September while parliament is in recess. Given the new Labour government's track record it is important there is pressure put on them to allow parliamentary debate and scrutiny."

Earlier in the international debate, Joy Dunn of PCS set the demand for abolition of Trident in a global context.

Ms Dunn told delegates: "I am sure you welcomed the moves by new US President Barack Obama to enter in to talks with Russia's President Medvedev on nuclear weapons. This sent a significant signal around the world. There is growing support for the Global Zero campaign to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Against that background, the UK government's persistence in investing in Trident looks out of step."

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