High Peak Liberal Democrat PPC answers questions on Trident

High Peak Liberal Democrat PPC Stephen Worrall has recently recieved a number of emails from constituents asking his views on Trident.

Stephen commented "These issues are evidently ones that concern a large number of people in the High Peak and so that as many High Peak residents as possible can know my views on them I have decided to share my answers to the 4 questions they asked specifically more widely".

The 4 questions asked about Trident are shown below, along with Stephen's answers in bold.

1) The UK's submarine-based Trident nuclear weapon system is approaching the end of its operational life. Do you think the UK should replace its nuclear weapon system?

No, it is my opinion that the UK shouldnot replace its nuclear weapon system.

2) The next government will conduct a Strategic Defence and Security Review. Do you think that should consider the possibilities and implications of scrapping and not replacing Trident?

Yes, whilst it is my opinion that the UK should not replace its nuclear weapon system it is only right and proper that such a large decision is fully assessed in terms of its possibilities and implications.

3) The next government will need to attend the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York. Do you think it should support a nuclear weapons convention or ban, similar to those for chemical or biological weapons?

Yes, nuclear weapons have a similar capacity for large scale and indiscriminate destruction and should be considered in a similar way.

4) The next government will have to decide whether to carry out the current coalition government's projected austerity programme. Do you think spending £100 billion on Trident replacement can be justified?

No, with the public spending cuts that have already been implemented and that are projected to continue spending such a large sum of money is not justifiable at all.