Trident passed despite major Labour rebellion

The government's plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system has survived a Commons vote, in spite of the biggest Labour rebellion since the Iraq war.

The vote on the renewal of the Trident submarines were supported by 409 MPs, with 161 MPs, including 88 Labour MPs, voting against the government. Conservative support was needed in order to secure a majority.

Earlier, 413 MPs voted against an amendentment, tabled by Labour MP Jon Trickett, to delay a decision on Trident. However, 167 MPs were in favour of the amendment, including 95 Labour MPs.

The Trident vote prompted four resignations from the government this week. Deputy Commons leader Nigel Griffiths and parliamentary private secretaries Jim Devine, Stephen Pound and Chris Ruane all resigned from their posts this week over the issue.

There were also a number of protests against the vote this week, including demonstrations at Faslane, where the British submarine fleet is based and the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, four Greenpeace campaigners scaled a crane beside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster and unfurled a banner suggesting that Mr Blair "loved" weapons of mass destruction.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Tony Blair argued that the Trident system was essential for Britain's security.

However, he is now facing criticism over the size of the revolt in last night's vote. Speaking about the issue on BBC 2's 'Newsnight' programme on Wednesday night, former Labour MP and speaker of the House of Commons Baroness Betty Boothroyd said that Mr Blair had become a "lame duck" prime minister.

However, Labour party chairwoman Hazel Blears defended Mr Blair on the issue. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, she said: "If we would have delayed this decision, we would then have been left with a three or four year period in which our submarines would not have been serviceable. And then we would not have been in a position to protect the British people.

"I think that was entirely the wrong place to be and I think the people of this country will recognise that you did have to take this decision, that you were prepared to push it through."

Conservative leader David Cameron supported the government's plans. Speaking in the Commons yesterday, Mr Cameron said: "A submarine-based system is the right answer. And decisions need to be taken now. In a dangerous and uncertain world, unilateral nuclear disarmament has never been and never will be the right answer."

(KMcA/SP)