Trident Debate Chance To Say No To Nato And Yes To Peace
Scottish Greens are welcoming today's debate at Westminster on the Clyde-based Trident nuclear weapons system, saying it highlights the need to reject the Nato nuclear military alliance as well.
The Scottish Greens, who expect to stand in around 30 of Scotland’s 59 Westminster seats in May, want to see Trident scrapped, Nato membership rejected and defence funding diverted to the real priorities of humanitarian work, disaster relief and peacekeeping.
Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie and Central Scotland MSP John Wilson joined the Scottish Greens after leaving the SNP following its decision to adopt a pro-Nato policy. Nato commits members to sharing, maintaining and storing nuclear weapons and demands a minimum defence spend of 2 per cent of GDP.
Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said:
"Millions of jobs could be created by scrapping our outdated and immoral nuclear weapons. The Cold War bunker mentality of Labour, the Tories and the Libdems is simply appalling. Just think how £100 billion could transform our communities, especially those where poverty has become ingrained thanks to the Westminster consensus on welfare cuts and squeezing our public services.
"While the SNP share our view on Trident we must disagree with their position on Nato and defence spending. By repurposing our military and adapting to the threats of the 21st century we could free up funds to create many more new jobs, tackle underemployment, poor wages and low-energy transport and housing. Our Green MP candidates will provide a voice for those who agree Scotland is a nation of peace not international aggression."
John Finnie MSP said:
"The spending of billions on indiscriminate weapons of mass slaughter must be condemned. But those who share that view must see it is a policy contradictory with membership of a first strike nuclear alliance."