SNP MSP, Bill Kidd, has addressed demonstrators today (Saturday) as part of a protest marking the fortieth anniversary of nuclear missiles being based on the Clyde.

Polaris submarines first patrolled from the Faslane base in June 1968. To mark the anniversary a demonstration is being held at the gates of the base and long-time peace campaigner Bill Kidd, SNP MSP for Glasgow, addressed the rally.

Mr Kidd said: "Today is a significant date in the campaign to remove weapons of mass destruction from Scotland's shores. Not only is it the fortieth anniversary of the first patrol by Polaris on the Clyde and the 26th anniversary of the Faslane Peace Camp but it marks an exact year since the Scottish Parliament voted overwhelmingly to reject a Trident replacement.
 

SNP MSP ADDRESSES DEMO ON 40th ANNIVERSARY OF NUCLEAR MISSILES ON THE CLYDE

SNP MSP addresses demo on 40th anniversary of nuclear missiles on the Clyde

"After 40 years of weapons of mass destruction in the midst of perhaps the most populated area of Scotland's they still remain unloved and unwanted by our people and our parliamentarians. Not only has a majority of MSPs rejected Trident, but so have a majority of Scottish MPs.

"Despite this, Westminster still imposes Trident on Scotland. Not only is it immoral as a weapon but it is an immoral use of public money.

"Figures released in the House of Commons show the cost of maintaining nuclear weapons to be nearly £2 billion per year, with far more due to be spent on a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons for the Clyde.

"Trident is wrong regardless of cost but these figures add strongly to the case against these despicable weapons.

"That is money that could be put to better use in our society, our country or even supporting our under funded frontline troops.

"The STUC have already shown that far from preserving jobs in Scotland spending on Trident suppresses the Scottish economy.

"Scotland and the UK have nothing to gain by retaining or building new nuclear weapons, yet they will lose any credibility in tackling international nuclear proliferation.

"The UK Government must listen to Scotland, there is no desire for new nuclear weapons, there is no support for new nuclear weapons and the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government oppose new nuclear weapons.

"Across Europe and around the world people are looking to Scotland to change the UK Government's mind. On this fortieth anniversary they could hold out the hand of hope and instead of building new nuclear systems to sit in the Clyde the UK should take the lead in calling for an end to nuclear weapons by bringing an end to Trident."

Notes:

1. A majority of Scottish MPs are against Trident's replacement. At Westminster on 14th March 2007 33 Scottish MPs voted against Trident with only 22 for.

2. The Scottish Parliament opposes the replacement of Trident. In the Scottish Parliament on 14th June 2007 71 MSPs voted against Trident with only 16 for.

3. The STUC report, Cancelling Trident the Economic and Employment consequences for Scotland can be found here.

4. Bill Kidd MSP attended the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in Geneva on the 28th April.