Unbelievable statement as the nuclear strike capability of the Trident passes with a large majority in the Commons …
Theresa May would authorise nuclear strike causing mass loss of life | The Guardian |
Asked in Trident debate if she would approve attack that could kill 100,000 people, PM answers with a decisive `yes’
Theresa May has said she would be willing to authorise a nuclear strike that could kill 100,000 people, as the House of Commons voted overwhelming to replace Britain’s Trident programme.
The prime minister confirmed she would be prepared to press the nuclear button if necessary as she opened a debate about whether the UK should spend up to £40bn replacing four submarines that carry nuclear warheads.
After more than five hours of discussion, parliament voted in favour of Trident renewal by a majority of 355 in a motion was backed by almost the entire Conservative party and more than half of Labour MPs.
It was opposed by all Scottish National party MPs, the Lib Dems and Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, a lifelong unilateralist who spoke out strongly against the plans during the debate.
Other members of Corbyn’s frontbench team, including the shadow defence secretary, Clive Lewis, and the shadow foreign affairs secretary, Emily Thornberry, abstained after claiming in a Guardian article that the government was turning an issue of “national security into a political game”.
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How Jeremy Corbyn won the leadership battle in September 2015… [Stirrings of Blairites in Labour – Oui]
However, around 140 of his MPs – including leadership challengers Angela Eagle and Owen Smith voted in favour of renewing Trident, with many highlighting Labour’s historic position in support of a continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.
Like I have written, glad the Brits are leaving continental Europe and illustrates their common principles with 20th century USA.