LABOUR have unveiled plans for a Trident “triple lock” – as Keir Starmer hailed the party’s “unshakeable commitment to Nato”.
The Labour leader was joined at a campaign event in Greater Manchester on Monday morning by 10 ex-military Labour candidates, in a bid to boost the party’s national security credentials.
Starmer said that national security was “the most important issue of our times” as he insisted the world was at “perhaps more dangerous and volatile than any time” since World War Two.
Labour have said they will continue the Government’s plans for the ongoing construction of four new nuclear submarines being built in Barrow-in-Furness and maintain the continuous at-sea deterrent.
The third commitment in the Trident “triple lock” is a pledge to deliver upgrades for nuclear submarines.
Speaking at the the Fusilier Museum in Bury, Starmer attacked Rishi Sunak for challenging Labour’s credibility on security.
He said: “Throughout the whole of this Parliament, I have deliberately not been partisan over issues of national security.
READ MORE: David Lammy heaps praise on father of UK's Trident nuclear weapon programme
“But just before this election, the Tories questioned this Labour Party’s commitment to national security and I will not let that stand.
“The people of Britain need to know that their leaders will keep them safe and we will.”
He added: “National security is the most important issue of our times, something which is of course always true, and which for us, if we’re privileged to serve our country, will become our solemn responsibility.”
While to their left, Labour are under attack by the SNP for supporting weapons of mass destruction, they have also been challenged by the Tories because of senior members’ shifting positions on Trident.
Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy faces particular scrutiny from the Tories because he in 2016 voted against renewing Trident, saying he was opposed to nuclear weapons on principle.
Starmer said his commitment to Trident was “absolute” and insisted he would press the nuclear button but claimed the circumstances under which he would do so were top secret.
He said: “As to the circumstances in which the deterrent would be used, obviously that is a matter of high confidentiality.
“You wouldn’t and nobody would expect someone who is serious about being prime minister to disclose the circumstances in which he or she might take action.”
READ MORE: Confusion as Tories plan to unpick equality laws with new single-sex protections
SNP defence spokesperson Martin Docherty-Hughes (below) blasted Starmer’s nuclear policy, saying it was “not only morally abhorrent, but financially reckless”.
He added: “Nuclear weapons have no place in Scotland, and only a vote for the SNP in July will protect Scotland’s interest against the Labour and Tories – neither of whom will do what the people in Scotland want and scrap Trident nuclear weapons for good.
“In the middle of a cost of living crisis, it is objectively wrong that Keir Starmer would funnel billions of pounds of public money into keeping weapons of mass destruction on our doorstep in Scotland, while families are still living in poverty after 14 years of Tory austerity, and our budget from the UK government keeps getting slashed.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel