A senior Tory MP has warned that the renewal of Trident could lend succour to the SNP and “prove instrumental in the Union’s undoing”.
Crispin Blunt – the only Conservative to vote against the nuclear deterrent – said it was “ironic” that the weapons system designed to protect the UK could in fact lead to its break-up.
SNP Westminster group leader Angus Robertson has suggested it is “democratically unacceptable” to continue to station Trident on the Clyde, considering that 58 of Scotland’s 59 MPs voted against its renewal on Monday.
And the Moray MP told the House of Commons another independence referendum was “fast approaching” after legislators backed renewing the multibillion-pound nuclear deterrent.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon claimed the SNP were ignoring “at least half of Scottish public opinion” in rejecting nuclear weapons – and accused them of wanting to “cower under an American nuclear NATO umbrella”.
But, in a statement released after Monday’s vote, Mr Blunt – who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee – agreed the decision to renew Trident could increase the chances of the break-up of the UK.
He added: “Let us not forget the risks this particular weapon system presents to the United Kingdom. Basing it in Scotland strengthens the nationalist narrative.
“Ironically, for a system justified on the basis that it protects the UK, it could prove instrumental in the Union’s undoing.
“And if that happens, it will add many billions to its costs as alternative basing arrangements are found in England.
“It’s true that the ending of the English subsidy of the Scottish budget could pay for this re-basing, but is that really what unionist parties actually want?”
The Conservative government easily passed a motion agreeing the construction of four Successor submarines, which will carry Trident nuclear missiles.
Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May argued the weapons system was crucial for protecting the security both of the UK and its allies.
Following the vote, Mr Robertson responded: “The UK government must respect Scotland’s clear decision against Trident renewal and remove these nuclear weapons of mass destruction from the Clyde.
“It would be democratically unacceptable if, in the face of this clear opposition, the UK government were to impose Trident nuclear weapons on the Clyde against Scotland’s wishes.”
However, Mr Fallon said: “The SNP ignores at least half of Scottish public opinion and is a party that is content to dispense with our deterrent, but happy to cower under an American nuclear NATO umbrella.”
