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Speech in Scottish Parliament by Sandra White MSP |
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| May 2006 | ||
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Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): I have heard nothing in the debate from any of the British unionist parties that convinces me that they will uphold article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Only an independent Scotland can rid Scotland and the British isles of nuclear weapons and it is imperative that we do so—[ Interruption.] Members are laughing, but when Labour members say that nuclear weapons are a Westminster issue, I become even more convinced that only an independent Scotland can get rid of Trident. Phil Gallie: Sandra White said that an independent Scotland could rid the British isles of nuclear weaponry. How on earth could that happen? An independent Scotland would have no influence over the rest of the British isles. Ms White: I said that an independent Scotland would rid Scotland of nuclear weapons and could help to rid the British Isles of them—[ Interruption.] Members are demonstrating their unionist principles, which proves that the unionist British parties will stick together, regardless of the fact that 80 per cent of the Scottish population want to get rid of Trident. Members might laugh, but Trident is not just a Westminster issue; it is an issue for everyone in Scotland. Christine May (Central Fife) (Lab): Will the member give way? Ms White: I am sorry, but I do not have enough time. The fact that four Trident missiles are based just outside Glasgow at Faslane is a Scottish issue and not just a Westminster issue. We should consider the reality of Trident's capability, which is thousands of times greater than that of the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, which members have mentioned. However, some members think that this is a British, unionist, Westminster issue. Nuclear weapons are an issue for humanity and a moral issue. A Trident missile can be launched silently and reach places as far away as Russia and China—and everywhere else in the world—but members say that that is a Westminster issue. We should be honest about the fact that, as Bruce Crawford said, we have no say in where weapons of mass destruction are deployed. However, America will have a say, because when Bush tugs at the leash, Blair follows. Nuclear weapons are not just a British issue; they are an American issue. We have nuclear weapons in this country because Aldermaston relies on the Americans for nuclear technology and training and for all the parts of Trident missiles. Bruce Crawford made that point very well. We do not have an independent nuclear deterrent and other people have said so, including Labour politicians, one of whom will be turning in his grave. Harold Wilson said that our nuclear weapons are neither independent nor British and are not a deterrent. Roy Hattersley has written: "No one seriously imagined that the British bomb ... could ever be used ... without American assistance." It is time that we realised that Trident is here to aid America in its aim of world domination. We are being used and Scottish people are suffering. Jackie Baillie talked about employment. The maintenance of the Trident system currently costs us £1.5 billion every year and it would cost up to £25 billion to replace Trident. What could an independent Scotland do with that kind of money? Jackie Baillie rose— Ms White: I will tell members what we could do with that money. We could provide an extra 5,000 intensive care beds every year for 10 years. We could pay for an extra 16,200 qualified dentists every year for 20 years. We could pay for 62,500 extra police officers every year for 20 years. The Scottish people want decent services; they do not want Trident. We should not kid ourselves about the British unionist parties; only an independent Scotland will get rid of Trident, which is what the Scottish people truly want. |