Doug Naysmith, MP for Bristol North West, has decided that he must vote against the Government’s plans to renew the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons on Wednesday.

Dr Naysmith said, “I do not enjoy voting against a Labour Government but I think on this occasion they are making a big mistake.  We are signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and we signed up to negotiating in good faith on the cessation of the arms race at an early date.  I do not see how renewing Trident years before it is necessary is compatible with our promise.  If we claim that having updated nuclear weapons will make us safer, how can we expect other states to do without them? 

“Today I shall vote for an amendment which says that the case for renewing Trident is not proven and that there is no need for an early decision.  If the amendment falls, I shall vote against the main proposal.”