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Scottish Socialist Party Welcomes SNP's Stance on Trident Nuclear Weapons

© AFP 2023 / Andy Buchanan Base at Faslane, in western Scotland
Base at Faslane, in western Scotland - Sputnik International
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The leader of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), Colin Fox welcomes the ruling Scottish National Party’s “unequivocal” position opposed to Trident nuclear weapons based at the Scottish port of Faslane contrasting with the equally clear and unequivocal position of the three Unionist parties who are determined to keep the base.

Scottish naval base at Faslane - Sputnik International
Day of Action Over UK Trident Nuclear Program Raises Election Stakes
EDINBURGH (Sputnik), Mark Hirst – The leader of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), Colin Fox told Sputnik he welcomes the ruling Scottish National Party’s “unequivocal” position not to support a UK coalition government deal that would involve retaining Trident nuclear weapons based at the Scottish port of Faslane.

“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.

Protesters calling for an end to the Trident nuclear programme blockade the road in front of HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, northeast of Glasgow, on April 13, 2015 the UK base for Trident - Sputnik International
At Least 36 Arrested During Anti-Nuclear Protest at Scottish Naval Base
Chairman of Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) Arthur West told Sputnik the money needed to replace Trident, estimated to be in the region of $146 billion, should be spent on other essential priorities.

“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.

Campaigners hold an inflatable during a protest in front of the Trident submarine fleet naval base in Faslane, Scotland - Sputnik International
Activists Seek Trident Nuclear Naval Base Shutdown in Scotland
Dalton added that Scottish independence and nuclear disarmament in Scotland “are inextricably linked” and claimed both will happen “in the next 20 years.”

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.

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