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On 14 March the biggest back-bench revolt took place in Parliament over defence policy since Labour first entered government in l924. On the question of a replacement for Trident, ninety-five Labour MPs voted against the government’s proposal, which was the largest back-bench rebellion on a domestic issue since Labour came to power in 1997. Although the government’s position finally prevailed, it was forced to rely on Conservative MPs to get sufficient votes.

This back-bench opposition to nuclear weapons is just the tip of a huge iceberg, representing greater opposition to nuclear weapons than ever before. In early March an opinion poll showed that no less than 72% of the public now oppose Trident replacement, made up of people from all

walks of life who have now become convinced that this country’s future safety cannot be provided by weapons of mass destruction. Internationally there have been calls from Kissinger, Gorbachev, El Baradei, Koffi Annan and Hans Blix for progress towards a nuclear-free world.

At last the tables are beginning to turn
in favour of the peace campaigners.

We will never accept government policies
which lead to nuclear proliferation.