“Trident has been one of the top five issues as far as this election has been concerned. You have the clear, unequivocal position of the Greens, the SSP and the SNP opposed to Trident contrasting with the equally clear and unequivocal position of the three Unionist parties [Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats] who are determined to keep Trident,” Fox told Sputnik.
“The SNP, to their credit, have made it absolutely clear that the price of any deal with Labour after May the 7th will be dependent upon them agreeing that Trident has to go. That is a heavy price for the Labour Party if they need the support of 40 plus SNP MPs after the election,” Fox said, adding that this tactical position has helped keep the issue of Trident central throughout this whole campaign.
Fox’s comments came as protesters on Monday participated in a blockade of the Faslane base. Police Scotland confirmed 34 arrests had been made.
“In sending support to today's blockade Scottish CND also condemns the scandalous amounts of money being used to keep nuclear weapons in Scotland. The purpose of the event is to draw attention to the fact that all Britain's nuclear weapons are based just 25 miles away from our biggest city [Glasgow],” West said.
Feargal Dalton, a former UK submarine commander with 15 years’ experience told Sputnik protests like the one being carried out on Monday would have little impact on the operations inside Faslane.
Nevertheless, the former Royal Naval officer, originally from Ireland, added that although he loyally served in the UK armed forces he had become convinced that there was no “moral argument” for nuclear weapons and that more generally Scotland would be better served by becoming fully independent of the United Kingdom.
“I wouldn't have wanted to serve a country that didn't afford people these basic rights and freedoms. Besides there is no moral argument for nuclear weapons so in that respect I actually agreed with the protesters but knew that it would take a change in policy of the two main Westminster parties [Labour and Conservatives] to bring about nuclear disarmament,” Dalton said.
Organizers of Monday’s blockade claim around 250 people took part in the protest.
In a statement issued to Sputnik the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it recognized “the democratic right of individuals to participate in lawful and peaceful protest activities,” but warned that any breaches of criminal law will be dealt with “in an appropriate manner.”
The UK currently operates four Trident submarines from the Faslane base, the only facility in the UK that is able to accommodate Britain’s nuclear deterrent. At any one time, one submarine is on active operations at sea, two are in port or on training exercises and the fourth is undergoing routine maintenance. Each submarine carries 48 nuclear warheads delivered by 16 surface-to-air missiles.
The current Royal Naval Trident fleet is expected to be replaced by 2028.
