Britain votes on Trident amid political division

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Series Details 17.07.16
Publication Date 17/07/2016
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The United Kingdom Parliament held a debate and vote on the 18 July 2016 on the principle of replacement of the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons system. This was a major decision for the future security and defence of the United Kingdom. The UK government wanted to commit the country to the Trident weapons system until the 2070s at a cost of approximately £41bn.

After more than five hours of discussion, the House of Commons voted in favour of Trident renewal by a majority of 355 in a motion backed by almost the entire Conservative party and more than half of Labour MPs. The motion proposed by the government however was opposed by all Scottish National party (SNP) MPs, the Liberal Democrats, Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, a lifelong unilateralist who spoke out strongly against the plans during the debate, and a minority of other Labour MPs.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://dw.com/p/1JPYs
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Trident replacement? Think Again / Successor SSBN: a Necessary Strategic Decision for the UK Parliament http://www.europeansources.info/record/trident-replacement-think-again-successor-ssbn-a-necessary-strategic-decision-for-the-uk-parliament/
UK: Parliament: Library: Briefing Paper, No.7353 (12.07.16): Replacing the UK's 'Trident' Nuclear Deterrent http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7353/CBP-7353.pdf
The Guardian, 17.07.16: Jeremy Corbyn vows to vote against Trident renewal as Labour divisions deepen http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/17/corbyn-puts-trident-fore-labour-divisions-deepen
The Guardian: Tag: Trident https://www.theguardian.com/uk/trident
The Conversation: Tag: Trident https://theconversation.com/uk/topics/trident
European Leadership Network, 18.07.16: Trident Renewal: Lessons for Parliament from Chilcot http://www.europeanleadershipnetwork.org/trident-renewal-lessons-for-parliament-from-chilcot_3968.html
UK: Parliament: Parliamentary Business: News, 18.07.16: MPs debate the UK's nuclear deterrent: 18 July 2016 http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2016/july/mps-debate-the-uks-nuclear-deterrent-18-july-2016/
The Guardian, 18.07.16: Commons votes for Trident renewal by majority of 355 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/18/mps-vote-in-favour-of-trident-renewal-nuclear-deterrent
BBC News, 19.07.16: MPs vote to renew Trident weapons system http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36830923
Politico, 19.07.16: Jeremy Corbyn fails the Trident test, as UK renews nuclear deterrent http://www.politico.eu/article/trident-corbyn-vote-nuclear-news-deterrent/
EurActiv, 19.07.16: UK parliament votes to update nuclear arsenal http://www.euractiv.com/section/security/news/uk-parliament-votes-to-update-nuclear-arsenal/
Deutsche Welle, 19.07.16: UK parliament votes to renew Trident nuclear weapons system http://dw.com/p/1JR99

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