Defence chiefs: Don’t turn Trident into a political football

The Guardian has spoken to two former defence chiefs, Lord West, the former head of the navy and former Labour security minister, and Lord Richards (David Richards), the former chief of defence staff who have warned Trident must not be turned into a political football.

Lord West told the paper:

Labour is very clear. It will maintain CASD ( continuous at-sea deterrence). [The nuclear deterrent] needs to be dragged out of the political arena – it’s too important for the nation.

Lord Richards said:

The world is very troubled. Many strategists believe things will get more fragile and dangerous before there is any hope of them getting better. This is not a time for politics to get in the way of facts or what is in our vital national interests. Trident is a key element, that of deterrence, in our overall military strategy. It will only deter potential adversaries if it’s effectiveness is guaranteed. No other system can meet this vital criteria. Until one does, and there is nothing on the horizon that I know of, there is no alternative to a submarine launched system, ie a Trident successor.