Welsh Republican Comment

Nuclear News

NO TO NEW TRIDENT NUKES!

by Helen Wright, Women's Editor

MPs promised nuclear weapons vote

Trident nuclear submarine
MPs are to be a given a say on replacing Trident
MPs will be given a chance to vote on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system, Commons Leader Jack Straw says.
Tony Blair has previously promised a full debate on the issue, but has so far declined to promise a vote.
But Mr Straw said it was "important" MPs had a say in the issue and "inevitable" there would be a vote.
He did not say whether Labour MPs would be given a free vote on the issue. A decision on renewing Trident will be made later this year.
Mr Straw told MPs: "The position of this was set up by the Prime Minister two weeks ago when he did point out that we were the first government to give the House a vote over decisions to go to war.
"Of course we should involve the House fully in a decision as important as the renewal of our nuclear deterrent and in practical terms it is inevitable that there will therefore be a chance for the House to express its view on this important matter in a vote."

A poll by Greenpeace reveals that the people of UK do not want to see new nukes.

The majority of the British people don't want to spend their money on these weapons of mass destruction, which even the Prime Minister accepts, would be useless against a terrorist threat. In a recent MORI/Greenpeace poll 54% of the British public said they would oppose a costly replacement of Trident.

When presented with the estimated cost of replacing Trident, a majority of the British public opposes the development of a new nuclear weapons system. The British public understands that money would be better spent on defeating poverty at home and abroad, and providing for employment, education and health.

"I am in completem agreement with CND, that, far from deterring nuclear threats, replacing Trident will increase the risk of nuclear conflict. Trident is shorthand for four nuclear submarines each with 16 warheads on board. Each warhead has between 8 to 16 bombs, each one ten times as destructive as the Hiroshima bomb which killed over 100,000 people. The Welsh Assembly Government should take this opportunity to press for nuclear disarmament worldwide, as required under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and become a force for peace in the world." comment Chris Davies.

"Councillor Simon Foster and I have also spent time with the brave ladies at the Women's Peace Camp at Aldermaston who are campaiging through non violent direct action to stop the proposed development of the Orion Laser Facility. Welsh republicans should support the gallant efforts of these peace-loving women."

WELSH objections to nuclear power have been swept aside ht as the Government paved the way for a new generation of reactors.

Despite objections from Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and First Minister Rhodri Morgan, the Government's long-awaited energy review said new reactors were needed to cut emissions and meet energy needs.

And, unlike in Scotland, the Assembly will have no power to veto planning permission for new nuclear sites.

Peace activist escapes suspension

Ray Davies could be suspended from his duties
A councillor has been censured over criminal convictions picked up while campaigning for peace.
However, Ray Davies escaped suspension and members of Caerphilly council's standards committee said he had not brought the council into disrepute.
Mr Davies appeared before the standards committee on Wednesday following a complaint by one of its members.
He had already been found guilty of breaking the councillors' code of conduct by the Welsh ombudsman.
Mr Davies, 76, a Labour councillor for the Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen ward, is the vice-chair of CND Cymru and took part in a number of demonstrations including breaking into the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston, Wiltshire.

I did what I did as a response to my conscience as a peace campaigner and a humanist

Councillor Ray Davies

He has been a long-standing campaigner against nuclear weapons and more recently against the conflicts in Iraq and Palestine.
He was also involved in rowing up the river Tamar in Plymouth and breaking into the Devonport naval dockyard where nuclear weapons were being fitted for duties in the Gulf.
In addition, he took part in a blockade of a dockyard in Scotland trying to prevent submarines leaving for war.
'Not ashamed'
He was arrested and fined for the offences but his refusal to pay the fines meant he was sent to jail instead.
Following these actions, a complaint was made against him by a member of Caerphilly council's standard's committee which was upheld by the ombudsman.
Mr Davies said he was "appalled" by the complaints.
"There have been no complaints from the people I was elected by and serve and no complaints from any of the politicians at the council.
'Standing by principles'
"I did what I did as a response to my conscience as a peace campaigner and a humanist.
"I have not had a single complaint about my actions from any of the people who I represent nor from anyone at the council."
Mr Davies said following the decision by the ombudsman he received more than 200 letters of support including support from opposition parties.
"I have always kept my peace campaign work totally separate from my council work," he said.
"I will not say I am sorry because I am not. I am not ashamed and I will continue to campaign for peace."
A spokeswoman for Caerphilly council said the council's standards committee had considered two allegations against councillor Ray Davies.
"The first allegation, that Councillor Davies had committed a criminal offence, was proven, and the second, that he had brought the council into disrepute, was not proven," she said.
"The standards committee censured councillor Davies for the behaviour that led to the proven allegation."
The committee member who made the initial complaint against Mr Davies did not take part in the hearing.