CND and CND Cymru have jointly condemned the claim made by Wales’ First Minister Carwyn Jones that Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines would be “more than welcome” in Wales if they were to be expelled by an independent Scotland.
Jones’ comments come amid uncertainty over the future of the Trident nuclear weapons system. Alongside economic and strategic problems which have dogged the proposed replacement of Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines, the possibility of an independent Scotland expelling the fleet from the Clyde naval base has caused consternation in Westminster.
The First Minister’s statement, which included the suggestion that Milford Haven could be used as a base for the nuclear fleet, was instantly slammed by Plaid Cymru MPs and Welsh Assembly Members (AMs).
Plaid Cymru’s Simon Thomas AM said:
“He clearly has no grasp on reality if he believes that the people of Wales want nuclear weapons stored in Wales. It would be far better for Wales for the UK government to do what Plaid Cymru has long called for – scrap the Trident project completely and spend the massive cost on plausible job creation schemes to boost our economy.”
This response was echoed by anti-nuclear campaigners, who described Mr. Jones as “flailing in the dark” for an answer to the economic problems in Wales.
CND and CND Cymru issued the following joint comment:
“This is a misguided and unsubstantiated call from Carwyn Jones. If he thinks that this is a solution to economic problems in Wales then he is flailing in the dark. Replacing Trident would cost more than £100bn over its lifetime and the only answer lies in scrapping it now, cancelling its replacement and investing the money saved in effective job creation and public services. In making such a bizarre statement he is simply showing how out of step he is with the people of Wales.”
Following the First Minister’s comments, Plaid Cymru MPs have today tabled an Early Day Motion calling for a Nuclear Weapon-Free Wales (EDM 230).