SNP Condemn Trident Replacement Decision

There has been loud condemnation from the SNP over the Labour Government's decision to replace the Trident nuclear weapons at the cost of upwards of £25 billion.

News that the New Labour government wishes to update the Trident nuclear weapons arsenal comes as no surprise claims SNP MSP, Michael Matheson. Despite estimated costs ranging from £25 billion to £70 billion the UK government has decided to commission a new updated version of the Trident weapons of mass destruction to be based on the Clyde.

Speaking out against this decision Michael Matheson said,

"This decision is a betrayal of everything Scotland traditionally stands for and makes us an increased target for terrorist attack.

£25 billion additional investment in our health service could remove the sick man of Europe label from Scotland. The same amount invested in economic development could raise our employment levels to those of the most prosperous countries in Europe and £25 billion invested in our children's future could provide for the future.

None of that will happen because the UK government has made itself a puppet of the United States and we are paying a high price for that. Not only are the weapons being purchased from America but they can not be used without the provision of specialist equipment that is licensed and provided by the US government.

Scotland is a peaceful country and yet we have the Trident system stationed on our doorstep thus making us a prime target for attack. It's time that the Scottish people were consulted on whether we want weapons of mass destruction on our doorsteps as I suspect the majority position in Scotland would be akin to that of the SNP's, namely their complete dismantling."