Trident Vote In Commons; A Third of the PLP rejects Trident Decision.
I am just back from the debate in the Commons on the replacement of Trident. Over 90 Labour MPs voted against the Prime Minister's proposal to commission the construction of the new nuclear submarines immediately.
Labour MP after Labour MP questioned Ministers on why the rush to such an early decision on Trident replacement. The independent evidence and expert advice explained that, just as with the system used in America, the operational life of the existing submarines could be extended to enable a thorough analysis of whether the renewal of our nuclear deterrent was necessary at all.
In 2010, Britain will be involved in the international assessment and review of the implementation of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. It was argued by a number of MPs that this would provide the objective evidence on which to judge whether Britain's nuclear arsenal was needed or should be renewed.
Despite the depth of feeling shown by Labour MPs, with over 90 voting against the Government and about 60 abstaining, Tony Blair with Gordon Brown's fullsome backing forced the vote through Parliament with the support of Tory MPs.
In effect on this and many other issues we now have Tony Blair leading a national coalition government, with Brown in support.
The Labour Party and the country has been bounced into supporting what we now know from Number 10's recently published emails was a done deal between Blair and Bush last September.
The Labour Party has been refused a say on this question as all resolutions on Trident were ruled out of order at last year's annual conference.
Labour MPs have been denied sight if the legal advice given to the Prime Minister on the legality of renewing Trident.
There has been no major consultation exercise in the country which a critical long term and expensive policy decision like this merits.
Trident is part of the Blair legacy agenda and the timing of this decision is based upon an agreement with Brown that his path to the leadership would not be littered with this unpopular decision outstanding.
This strategy has disastrously backfired. We now have a party divided at every level with only weeks to go before the crucial elections in Scotland, Wales and local councils in England.
The issue of nuclear weapons will also not go away. The decision on the main contract will be required in two to four years and already the demand is that it must come before Parliament for decision.
Tonight's decision risks contributing to the setting in train of a global escalation in the acquisition of nuclear arms. Let's build the campaign to ensure that when the next stage decision returns to Parliament we do not have a leader of the Labour Party who is willing to use the votes of Tories to put our country and planet at risk from nuclear weapons.
Labour MP after Labour MP questioned Ministers on why the rush to such an early decision on Trident replacement. The independent evidence and expert advice explained that, just as with the system used in America, the operational life of the existing submarines could be extended to enable a thorough analysis of whether the renewal of our nuclear deterrent was necessary at all.
In 2010, Britain will be involved in the international assessment and review of the implementation of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. It was argued by a number of MPs that this would provide the objective evidence on which to judge whether Britain's nuclear arsenal was needed or should be renewed.
Despite the depth of feeling shown by Labour MPs, with over 90 voting against the Government and about 60 abstaining, Tony Blair with Gordon Brown's fullsome backing forced the vote through Parliament with the support of Tory MPs.
In effect on this and many other issues we now have Tony Blair leading a national coalition government, with Brown in support.
The Labour Party and the country has been bounced into supporting what we now know from Number 10's recently published emails was a done deal between Blair and Bush last September.
The Labour Party has been refused a say on this question as all resolutions on Trident were ruled out of order at last year's annual conference.
Labour MPs have been denied sight if the legal advice given to the Prime Minister on the legality of renewing Trident.
There has been no major consultation exercise in the country which a critical long term and expensive policy decision like this merits.
Trident is part of the Blair legacy agenda and the timing of this decision is based upon an agreement with Brown that his path to the leadership would not be littered with this unpopular decision outstanding.
This strategy has disastrously backfired. We now have a party divided at every level with only weeks to go before the crucial elections in Scotland, Wales and local councils in England.
The issue of nuclear weapons will also not go away. The decision on the main contract will be required in two to four years and already the demand is that it must come before Parliament for decision.
Tonight's decision risks contributing to the setting in train of a global escalation in the acquisition of nuclear arms. Let's build the campaign to ensure that when the next stage decision returns to Parliament we do not have a leader of the Labour Party who is willing to use the votes of Tories to put our country and planet at risk from nuclear weapons.
posted by John at 12:16 AM
12 Comments:
Thanks for your principled stand and all your support John.
Just heard Hazel Blears on Radio 4 trying to spin that this was a "Labour-decision". We know it was the Blair-Brown-Cameron alliance that pushed it through.
Interesting also that it wasn't Des Browne who opened the debate. He's the least convincing speaker I've ever heard.
I notice The Mirror editorial is taking the same stance as John and they have quoted him again as left winger and leadership contender today although it was Jeremy who was quoted on Today in Parliament.
Are you all watching Party Animals? The less said about the politIcs on it the better I think!
maybe itis true that Blair is taking the heat for Trident decision earlier than needed to leave way clear for Brown??
must dash
I know they are our enemies butthe Express and Mail also quoted John asthe left-wing contender. This is important publicity for us.
Well done to the rebels and let's carry on the fight against a policy which is completely out of step with the Labour Party's silent majority.
well done for standing for your beliefs.
You can watch John's speech to the CND anti-Trident demo at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqiOmkWTCmw
nototrident - a less than silent Labour majority growing each and every day :-)
It's shameful that the major support for our government comes from the opposition. What better testament to the right-wing nature of Downing Street.
I should like to see a full list of all voters, can someone provide a link, if such info exists?
I foresee a period of mistakes, disasters and cock-ups, as the only ministers left are those that have only proved their loyalty and not necessarily their competence.
nmp,
The BBC produced such a list two days ago... I'm sure you'll be able to find it in the UK Politics section of the beeb's website.
sorry,
"npm" is what I meant...
The Guardian published a list of the rebels the day after the Trident vote.
A couple of days ago Paul Routledge reported that John was "very convincing" in his Mirror column but he said we were "Old Labour!" Will email him and explain we are not but we are "Real Labour" i.e. we have updated our policies though still left wing and proud of it of course.
There was also the World at One coverage though unfortunately I couldn't hear it all due to a phone call though I emailed the programme to ask if they could counterbalance the last MP, didn't catch who he was but was a dyed in the wool New Labourite supporting Brown and he falsely discounted the NEC's decision on the leadership contest rules which is coming up on Tuesday as unrepresentative of the true mood of the party and apart from being simply wrong and misinformed he was arrogant enough to completely put down the ordinary members by rubbishing their views. It reminded me of when the Tories start banging on about everyone being incompetent when it has in fact been they themselves and also you have to ask why they need to put others down, why they are so defensive in the first place. New Labour has descending into this arrogant bullying style of politics too so what are they trying to prove? Why do they need to behave like this, so we have to ask ourselves what are they hiding or covering up by doing so?? Their own failings if course; attack being the best form of defence and all that. It's also been incorrestly reported generally in the media recently that the left is a tiny fringe part of the party when in fact we often have big attendances for our many meetings etc and very many grassroots supporters. We must all make sure the media is aware of this as it's not us that's trying to split the party and I'm not even sure the Brownites are in the majority any more. I don't know anyone personally who will admit to being one and I didn't think their harcore faction on the conference floor was any bigger than the left's although there were lots of hangers on for the main speeches as was to be expected. I think the problemn with Blair and Brownites is that they are ten years out of date - the only people I've seen shaking their hands are heard to be thanking them for things they did ten years ago when we first won. They can't see that the Tories are having a field day making political capital over this such as Cameron's soapbox speech at the doctor's demo today. I really think that even if some members were to agree with New Labour's ideology the faction ought to be replaced from the leadership positions anyway as they have proved their disorganisation over the party's financial problems which meant we could not have a Spring conference this year which has given the Tories a clear run at this Spring's political limelight and other administrative areas and they are now resorting to being discountint their own members voice if they don't get their own way and making a mockery of all democracy in the party along the way. It's an obvious truth but such put-downs say more about them than the people they are trying to push out i.e. normal members of their own party.
And a very Happy St. Patrick's Day to You All (belatedly!)
May this campaign find it's pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. (Is that what you are saying the chance of a century blogger? I hope so.
The castle beckons...
Cheers Mikael, I'll take a look. I think I know the rebels, but I thought I saw some abstainees on BBC parliament - will try to find out who these were too.
Interesting that abstainers are not registered.
I noticed that 13 rebelled for the amendment only and 7 ONLY rebelled on the main vote. Had they also rebelled on the amendment that would have taken the reported number up to 102.
Not sure what this means there are some experts out there I'm sure will help me out on the interpretation of voting.
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