Identifies £37.5bn of waste by Labour government

Glasgow SNP MSP Bill Kidd has seized on comments being made by Glasgow Labour councillor Euan McLeod last week that the Labour government in London should not spend £37.5 billion earmarked to bankroll the replacement for Trident as clear evidence of which party is wasting public money whilst demanding cuts in the Scottish budget.

Mr Kidd said the councillor’s comments ripped apart Labour’s bogus 'roadshow' in the Glasgow North East by-election and left their campaign having to explain why they were not accusing the UK Labour government of cutting Glasgow's spending whilst it wastes, at least, £37.5 billion on Trident.

The Labour councillor, who is Convener of the Nuclear Free Local Authorities Scotland, made the remarks at a seminar in Glasgow last Friday. A release issued from the seminar said he made the call as Convener with plans to renew the UK's nuclear arsenal being dropped and the funds diverted to support frontline troops.

He was quoted as saying: "The £37.5billion earmarked for the son-of-Trident could make a staggering difference to the equipment that our soldiers need to carry out their vital tasks on the front line.

Commenting Mr Kidd said: "How on earth can Labour keep a straight face with their self-styled ‘roadshow’ in Glasgow when one of their own councillors has identified a staggering £37.5 billion which he believes is being wasted by his own party?

"Whilst it is welcome that Cllr McLeod recognises the waste of money from nuclear weapons and suggests alternative spending it is well at odds with what his party is claiming in Glasgow and doing in government at Westminster.

"I’m sure voters in Glasgow North East will be wondering how Labour can claim one thing about the SNP when it is their own Prime Minister wanting to blow billions on weapons of mass destruction.

"If Labour in the Glasgow North East by-election are claiming the city is being ripped off perhaps they can explain why their very own government in London support spending billions on a replacement for Trident?

Note:

The Nuclear Free Local Authorities Scotland release with quotes from Councillor Euan McLeod is as follows:

Media Release - NFLA - Glasgow City Council

22nd October 2009

CALL FOR TRIDENT CASH TO SUPPORT TROOPS

Plans to renew the UK's nuclear arsenal should be dropped and funding diverted to support frontline troops, campaigners will tell the Government this week.

The Convener of an umbrella group of local authorities will make the call for the first time at a seminar in Glasgow on Friday.

Nuclear Free Local Authorities Scotland wants £37.5 billion currently earmarked to bankroll a replacement for the country's Trident weapons to be used to address other needs within the armed forces.

Today, NFLA Scotland Convener and Glasgow Councillor Euan McLeod, said he would lobby the Government on behalf of members.

"The brave men and women of our Armed Forces are currently protecting national interests around the globe in often horrendous situations.

"The £37.5billion earmarked for the son-of-Trident could make a staggering difference to the equipment that our soldiers need to carry out their vital tasks on the front line.

"This would also be a great opportunity to increase the number of mission-ready troops within the services to help with humanitarian and peace keeping duties worldwide."

Cllr McLeod will chair a seminar on major nuclear policy issues affecting the country this Friday, 23 October, in Glasgow.

The event will see councillors from across the country hear evidence from nuclear industry and health experts on key policy issues - including Scotland's energy needs and the future of nuclear weapons in Scotland.

Independent civil consultant J W Storm van Leeuwen will provide a forensic analysis of nuclear power and whether it can be a viable answer to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.

CND Scotland's John Ainslie will address members on the expected expansion of the Faslane naval base, which would see it host the country's entire nuclear fleet.

Finally, NFLA Scotland's own Pete Roche will provide an analysis of new nuclear building projects in England and Wales; including reactors within 30 miles of the border in Cumbria and Durham.

ENDS

NOTES

The NFLA Scotland seminar will take place at Parish Halls, 226 George Street, Glasgow from 13:00 on Friday October 23rd.

The figure of £37.5 Billion is the Governments own estimation of the life time costs of the new nuclear defence and not those of lobby groups who estimate it could top 100 Billion.

Nuclear Free Local Authorities is based at Glasgow City Council and is the Local Government Voice on Nuclear Issues in Scotland and across the United Kingdom.