New poll shows only 7% of Lib Dems support government on Trident
A YouGov poll released today reveals overwhelming opposition to Trident replacement amongst Liberal Democrat party members (1).
The poll comes as party divisions emerged on proposals to delay Trident replacement in order to put off expenditure on the controversial multi billion pound project. The proposals, which are currently being considered by David Cameron, were backed by Sir Menzies Campbell on this morning’s Today programme, but condemned as by Conservative MP Bernard Jenkins as ‘extremely divisive’.
The poll, which was conducted by YouGov for Greenpeace found that:
- Only 7% of Liberal Democrats want Trident to be replaced with a ‘broadly comparable system’.
- 89% of Liberal Democrats want either a cheaper alternative to Trident or to give up nuclear weapons altogether.
- 80% of Liberal Democrats believe that a reassessment of the Britain’s nuclear weapons policy and all alternatives to Trident replacement should be included in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).
Under current coalition government plans the process of ‘like for like’ trident replacement is due to start at the end of this year.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox has excluded Trident from the Strategic Defence and Security Review, which is due to report by the end of this year, but is coming under increasing pressure to review his decision.
Trident looks set to become a major issue at this year’s Liberal Democrat conference. The Conference Committee has accepted an emergency motion on Trident that calls for the Strategic Security and Defence Review to be extended so it can include Trident (2). Members will vote on whether to debate the Trident issue this coming Sunday (19th September).
Greenpeace Director John Sauven said
“Today’s poll sends a clear message to the Liberal Democrat leadership. The coalition statement says they can make the arguments for alternatives to trident replacement – well now is the time to speak up and make those arguments”.
“If they don’t tackle this issue head on and challenge plans to push ahead with Trident replacement significant amounts of money will start to be spent at the end of this year”.
He continued,
“At a time when public spending is being slashed, wasting billions on designing new submarines we aren’t even sure we need isn’t going to go down well with the public or the party. Delay and a proper debate on the future of Britain’s nuclear weapons is the only way forward”.
ENDS
Greenpeace Press Office – 020 7865 8255
Notes for editors
1) Polling Data. The poll by yougov involved interviewing 566 Liberal Democrat Party Members and was undertaken between 10th - 14th September 2010.
As you may know, there is currently debate about whether or not the UK should replace its Trident nuclear weapons system. Current policy is to replace the Trident submarines with a new fleet of boats, and to replace the ballistic nuclear missiles they carry at a later date. Which of the following options would you favour most?
| Replace Trident with a broadly comparable system | 7 |
| Replace Trident with a cheaper system | 32 |
| Not renew Trident and give up nuclear weapons altogether | 57 |
| Don't know | 4 |
| As you may know, the UK government is planning to build a replacement for the Trident nuclear weapons system. |
|
| Do you support or oppose plans to replace Trident with a 'like-for-like' system? |
|
| Strongly support | 4 |
| Tend to support | 8 |
| TOTAL SUPPORT | 12 |
| Neither support nor oppose | 8 |
| Tend to oppose | 28 |
| Strongly oppose | 49 |
| TOTAL OPPOSE | 77 |
| Don't know | 2 |
| The Government are currently undertaking a Strategic Defence and Security Review to assess the country’s future defence priorities and review expenditure on all major defence projects and activities. |
|
| Some argue that the review should include a reassessment of Britain’s nuclear weapons policy and all alternatives to Trident replacement. Others however claim that this is unnecessary as Parliament voted to replace Trident back in 2007. |
|
| Which of the following comes closest to your view? |
|
| The Strategic Defence and Security Review should look at alternatives to the replacement of Trident | 80 |
| The Strategic Defence and Security Review should NOT look at alternatives to the replacement of Trident | 14 |
| Don't know | 7 |
2) FULL TEXT OF TRIDENT EMERGENCY MOTION:
Conference notes that:
i) In July the Chancellor announced that the Ministry of Defence will have to fund the £20–£30bn capital costs of a ‘like-for-like’ replacement for Trident.
ii) The Defence Secretary has warned that this means severe restrictions in the way Britain operates militarily, regiments could be axed or the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy amalgamated.
iii) The exclusion of Trident from the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) is now untenable; it should be included and receive the scrutiny which strategic, political and financial circumstances demand.
Conference calls on the Liberal Democrat ministers to:
1. Press for the extension of the SDSR to allow a full review of the alternatives to ‘like-for-like’ replacement of Trident.
2. Ensure the SDSR considers cost-saving options such as ending continuous at-sea patrols and extending the life of Vanguard submarines.
3. Ensure the SDSR makes explicit the opportunity cost of Trident replacement – in terms of cuts to troop numbers and equipment programmes.
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