THE Alba Party has declared war on nuclear weapons in Scotland, with every one of its candidates joining a disarmament push.
Trident, the UK's nuclear deterrent, is currently housed on Scottish soil.
Road convoys going to and from HM Naval Base Clyde near Helensburgh move through major arteries and, despite assurances from the Ministry of Defence, Trident critics have repeatedly raised concerns about public safety.
Opposition to the weapons of mass destruction has long been a major feature of independence campaigning in Scotland, with the SNP and Greens both calling for Trident's removal and urging the UK Government not to spend billions of public money on a replacement.
READ MORE: 'Deeply irresponsible': Anger as nuclear convoy enters Scotland mid-lockdown
Now, Alba has pledged its support for nuclear disarmament. Each of its candidates will sign Scottish CND’s pledge to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, speak out publicly in favour and — if elected — sign up to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Ican) parliamentarians' pledge.
In a statement, leader Alex Salmond (above) said: “Alba is making independence a priority in this election to bring about the change Scotland needs.
“Independence gives Scotland the opportunity to pursue nuclear disarmament at home by removing Trident nuclear submarines from the River Clyde and in the world by signing the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
READ MORE: SNP slam Anas Sarwar for 'taking orders from Keir Starmer' on Trident
“Any party that I lead will always put nuclear disarmament front and centre.
“Alba fully supports the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. An independent Scotland will be proud to ratify it.
“I give this undertaking today, on behalf of Alba, that every candidate elected to the Scots Parliament will work to make nuclear disarmament a priority.
"Each MSP elected will speak out publicly in favour of nuclear disarmament and nuclear non proliferation and, if elected, sign up to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Ican) Parliamentarians pledge.”
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