Trident: Nigel Griffiths Resignation, Luke Akehurst Fibs Like A Libdemologist

Luke Akehurst, the famous arms lobbyist, blogger and Labour right winger is tough on opponents of Trident renewal including resigning Deputy Leader of the House Nigel Griffiths. Luke ridiculously claims that a yes vote now - arguably five years early - is required to meet a weaselly dodgy manifesto insertion to maintain an "independent" nuclear deterrent.

Wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong. The timing, presumably to add to Tony Blair's arsenal of "success", is potty and could scupper Labour's navy in Scotland. The "Manifesto Commitment" is illusory and got there at the final proof stage with no debate in party, government or cabinet. The suppression of the debate on yes/no and indeed Cruise/Trident has been mighty and persistent, stretching back around 20 years. And Trident is not independent.

It is worth noting that Neil Kinnock - the architect of the current policy - has strongly urged that the vote be delayed while Glenys Kinnock MEP is among the Not In My Name signatories.

Dave Osler is cynically suspicious of Griffith's motives. Perhaps he has more time for Malcolm Chisholm MSP who resigned as an assembly minister in December 06 after supporting an SNP motion. Like Griffiths Chisholm has a tight Edinburgh constituency which is on balance against Trident.

If the vote proceeds and is won thanks to Tories this could be very unhelpful for Labour in Scotland's Parliamentary elections in May and create some friction to overcome for the eventual General Election. It will be the SNP which benefits most from this ridiculous timing as the Lib Dems are ALL OVER THE PLACE on this in Scotland as they are in Westminster.

Fib Dems have chronicled their sad manoeuvres HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. The first link is the most recent. Jo Swinson MP (right) is also a grab from Fib Dems. They also have some cluster bomb hypocrites on board of course.

UPDATE: Scottish Parliament, Sorry!