Theresa May declares she would push nuclear button ahead of Trident renewal vote

Threat: Theresa May said Britain could opposition to maintain the UK's nuclear deterrent is "quite wrong"
PA
Jamie Bullen18 July 2016
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Theresa May told MPs she would authorise a deadly nuclear strike as she warned opposition to maintain the UK’s deterrent is “quite wrong”.

In her first Commons speech since entering Number 10, the Prime Minister said the “very real” threat posed by Russia and North Korea meant Britain could not afford to "relax our guard".

Mrs May spoke ahead of a vote in Parliament tonight on whether Britain should renew its Trident nuclear deterrent.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn repeated his position he would not press the nuclear button if he was in power, arguing that threatening “mass murder” was not the way to handle international relations.

Labour remains split on the issue with MPs allowed a free vote on whether to renew Trident.

Firm reply: When challenged on whether she would order a deadly nuclear strike, Mrs May responded with a resolute yes
PA

In a swipe at Mr Corbyn, Mrs May said: "Some people suggest to us that we should actually be removing our nuclear deterrent.

“This has been a vital part of our national security and defence for nearly half-a-century now and it would be quite wrong for us to go down that particular path."

When she was challenged on whether she would be prepared to authorise a nuclear strike that could kill thousands of "innocent men, women and children", Mrs May firmly replied: "Yes."

She told MPs: "The threats from countries like Russia and North Korea remain very real. As our Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) made clear, there is a continuing risk of further proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Opposition: Jeremy Corbyn said he would vote against renewing Trident
PA

"We must continually convince any potential aggressors that the benefits of an attack on Britain are far outweighed by their consequences.

"And we cannot afford to relax our guard or rule out further shifts which would put our country in grave danger.

“We need to be prepared to deter threats to our lives and our livelihoods and to those of generations who are yet to be born."

Mr Corbyn reiterated his opposition to the potential use of the weapons and said he would not take part in a decision “that kills millions of innocent people.”

Vanguard: A Trident submarine
PA

He said: “I do not believe the threat of mass murder is a legitimate way to go about dealing with international relations."

He added: "we are not debating a nuclear deterrent but our continued possession of weapons of mass destruction.

"What is the threat that we are facing that over a million people's deaths actually deters?"

The SNP has declared it will oppose the renewal of Trident.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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