22 May 2012 

The UK Government’s decision to go ahead with a replacement of Trident nuclear-armed submarines has been described as ‘morally bankrupt’ by Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow.

The Ministry of Defence has placed £350 million of contracts for the design work.

The UK’s fleet of four nuclear-armed submarines is based at Faslane on the Clyde. Each has sixteen missiles with a range of up to 7,500 miles and a destructive power said to be the equivalent of eight Hiroshimas.

Patrick Harvie said:

“Spending hundreds of millions of pounds on a new generation of nuclear weaponry while slashing welfare for some of the most vulnerable people in the country is a morally bankrupt act.

“To do so when Scots are on the verge of making a decision on independence simply defies any sense. If Scotland votes Yes, the MOD may be forced to recognise that Trident has no other home than Faslane, and once that is no longer available it will finally be time to set aside this cold war era mentality.

“We should focus on the real threats to human security, like the impact of climate change on food, water and energy, or the instability which comes with global poverty and injustice.”