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PM faces nuclear vote rebellion Trident vote 'essential for UK'
(about 9 hours later)
Tony Blair may face his biggest Commons rebellion since the start of the Iraq war when MPs vote on plans to renew the UK's Trident nuclear weapons system. Tony Blair says it is "essential" the UK begins renewing its nuclear weapons system as soon as possible.
MPs will debate the £20bn plan to replace the submarines which carry the Trident missiles. The prime minister may face his biggest Commons rebellion since the start of the Iraq war when MPs vote on a £20bn plan to replace the Trident system.
The prime minister has said the UK needs to maintain its deterrent as it is impossible to judge future threats. About 80 Labour MPs have expressed unease, but defeat is unlikely because the Conservatives back the plans.
The government is unlikely to lose the vote as the Conservatives have said they will vote with ministers. Mr Blair told the Commons replacing Trident was "in the national interest" and any delay would be "absurd".
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said it was not possible to foretell which other countries, such as Iran and North Korea, could develop nuclear weapons. 'Uncertain world'
Warheads The Commons debate on replacing the submarines which carry the Trident missiles is currently under way with a vote due near to 1900 GMT.
"Therefore, flexibility is key, making sure that we are prepared for all eventualities." Speaking during prime minister's questions ahead of the debate, Mr Blair said: "I think it's right we take the decision now to begin work on replacing the Trident nuclear submarines.
Wednesday's debate will be held from 1230GMT to 1900GMT, before a vote is held. Tony Blair is doing Gordon Brown a big favour by staging the vote on Trident at this time BBC's Nick Assinder class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6449005.stm">Analysis: Blair's nuclear gift
Mr Blair said in December that submarine numbers may be cut from four to three, while the number of nuclear warheads would be cut by 20%. "I think that is essential for our security in an uncertain world.
Greenpeace began a protest a day before the vote "I believe it is important that we recognise that, although it is impossible to predict the future, the one thing... that is certain, is the unpredictability of it."
Between £15bn and £20bn would be spent on new submarines to carry the Trident missiles and the fleet would take 17 years to develop and build, lasting until about 2050. Conservative leader David Cameron agreed, saying: "Replacing Britain's independent nuclear deterrent is clearly in the national interest. The decision needs to be taken now."
But MPs including Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell and former defence minister Peter Kilfoyle are backing an amendment - thought to have the support of about 80 Labour MPs - saying the case for replacing Trident is "not yet proven" and saying they are "unconvinced of the need for an early decision".
The Lib Dems want to postpone a decision until 2014, but the government argues that one needs to be made now as the submarines take so long to build.
Sir Menzies told the Commons: "A hasty decision to replace Trident is bound to undermine our ability to have influence at the conference [to reduce nuclear proliferation] in 2010."
'Design and concept'
However, Mr Blair said: "It's absurd to suggest we could simply put off the decision."
Some Labour MPs want an assurance that Parliament will be able to revisit the Trident issue in the future.
Mr Blair said that was always a possibility, stressing that Wednesday's vote was for the "design and concept" stage, and Parliament might want to revisit the issue when it comes to contracts being negotiated for the work to take place from around 2012.
See a 360-degree panorama of a Trident submarine control room.
Mr Blair said in December that submarine numbers could be cut from four to three, while the number of nuclear warheads would be cut by 20%.
Between £15bn and £20bn would be spent on new submarines to carry the Trident missiles and the fleet would take 17 years to develop and build, and would then last until about 2050.
The government's stance prompted two resignations this week - deputy Commons leader Nigel Griffiths and ministerial aide Jim Devine both quit their posts in protest.The government's stance prompted two resignations this week - deputy Commons leader Nigel Griffiths and ministerial aide Jim Devine both quit their posts in protest.
With only three months between the White Paper being announced and the vote, 154 MPs - including more than 80 Labour MPs - have signed a Parliamentary motion calling for a longer period of consultation for all political parties, other interested groups and the public. 'No enemy in sight'
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has also signed the motion.
His party wants to postpone a decision on Trident until 2014, but the government argues that a decision needs to be taken now as the submarines take so long to build.
It is clear to many politicians and to the British public that the case has not been made Kate HudsonCND
Former environment minister, and Labour leadership contender, Michael Meacher is also against the plans.Former environment minister, and Labour leadership contender, Michael Meacher is also against the plans.
"We're in the post cold-war environment, when there is no nuclear enemy in sight and the Ministry of Defence cannot actually suggest any nuclear enemy in the foreseeable future which might require nuclear weapons as a security.""We're in the post cold-war environment, when there is no nuclear enemy in sight and the Ministry of Defence cannot actually suggest any nuclear enemy in the foreseeable future which might require nuclear weapons as a security."
He said the £20bn did not cover the ongoing costs of maintenance over 40 years, which was "probably costing nearer £70 billion". He said the £20bn did not cover the ongoing costs of maintenance over 40 years, which would end up "probably costing nearer £70bn".
Fellow would-be leader John McDonnell, who has also signed the amendment, said the vote would be a "defining moment" for the government.Fellow would-be leader John McDonnell, who has also signed the amendment, said the vote would be a "defining moment" for the government.
"It's time for people to stand up and be counted on this issue, and that includes those ministers who we know either do not support [this] or who have serious doubts about the untimely decision-making process the prime minister is forcing on us." Kate Hudson, chairwoman of CND, the anti-nuclear pressure group, said the motion's cross-party support indicated "the enormous unity that exists to prevent a rushed decision on Trident".
Protests
The chairwoman of CND, the anti-nuclear pressure group, said the motion with cross-party support indicated "the enormous unity that exists to prevent a rushed decision on Trident."
Kate Hudson said: "It is clear to many politicians and to the British public that the case has not been made."
Various protests are planned to coincide with the debate, with protesters from environmental group Greenpeace scaling a crane positioned next to Parliament on the Thames on Tuesday to unfurl a banner.
Union leaders added their voice to the protests.
The general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, Bob Crow, said spending billions on weapons to "help destroy" the world was at odds with the Climate Change Bill, published on Tuesday, to save the environment.
"The £75 billion that could be wasted on new Trident could go a long way to helping Britain reduce carbon emissions, build some of the transport infrastructure we desperately need, and bolster our public services," he said.
Labour rebels have staged a series of revolts since Tony Blair came to power in 1997, although the government has suffered only four defeats.Labour rebels have staged a series of revolts since Tony Blair came to power in 1997, although the government has suffered only four defeats.
The biggest rebellion was over Iraq in March 2003, when 138 Labour MPs, including the then Leader of the House, Robin Cook, supported a rebel amendment opposing the decision to go to war. The biggest rebellion was over Iraq in March 2003, when 138 Labour MPs supported a rebel amendment opposing the decision to go to war.
Several protests against replacing nuclear weapons are taking place across the UK.
Several demonstrators earlier climbed onto the roof of the Scottish Parliament. Two people have been arrested.