Cut nuclear weapons by half - Campbell

4.08.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 1st Dec 2006

Nuclear mushroom

Ahead of the publication of the Government's White Paper, Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell today launched the proposals of his party's policy working group on the future of Britain's Trident nuclear weapons system.

The proposals, to be debated at the Liberal Democrat spring conference in Harrogate, include:

• Retaining the current Trident system but cutting Britain's nuclear weapons by half, retaining only up to 100 warheads.

• Extending the life span of the current Trident system and keeping options open on a final decision until at least 2014 in order to allow a clearer picture to develop with regard to nuclear proliferation and to threats to Britain, its neighbours and allies.

• Using the cut in warheads to kick-start multilateral disarmament talks and sending a strong signal to non-nuclear weapons states that Britain takes its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty seriously.

• A presumption in favour of the most cost effective replacement for the current Trident system being a submarine system based on the Trident missile of 3 boats carrying no more than 24 warheads each.

Menzies Campbell said "There is a measurable danger that if North Korea and Iran are confirmed over the next decade as nuclear states, they will set in train a course of nuclear proliferation which will materially alter the strategic situation.

"It would be unwise at this time for Britain to abandon its nuclear weapons altogether. But a deterrent of approximately half the current size, and extending the life of the current submarine system, would be sufficient to provide for Britain's ultimate security until we have more certainty about proliferation.

"As the Defence Select Committee has concluded we can delay making the final decision without wasting billions in the meantime.

"A nuclear weapon-free world is highly desirable. Cutting our stockpile in half would send a strong signal that nuclear disarmament is back on the international agenda and that Britain is prepared to act first.

"Britain could at anytime choose to scrap its nuclear deterrent completely if the strategic situation were to be favourable, and this option remains on the table.

"It is essential we have a debate on all options on this issue of such strategic importance within Parliament and within the country as a whole.

"These proposals will be presented to the Liberal Democrat Federal Policy Committee and the Liberal Democrat conference will have the final say in spring at Harrogate."