THE SNP has warned of a Brexit-style backlash if Westminster imposes another generation of nuclear weapons on the Clyde against Scotland's wishes.
Speaking at a Nato summit in Warsaw, the Prime Minister said the Commons would be asked to back the renewal of all four nuclear submarines capable of providing around-the-clock cover.
“The nuclear deterrent remains essential in my view, not just to Britain’s security but as our allies have acknowledged here today the overall security of the Nato alliance,” he said.
“While Britain may be leaving the EU, we are not withdrawing from the world. Nor are we turning our back on Europe or European security.”
He denied the timing was designed to maximise problems for Labour, which has renewal as its policy despite Jeremy Corbyn’s opposition to Trident, saying it was a Tory manifesto pledge.
He said: “I think it makes sense to hold this vote, to hold this vote now, to put it beyond doubt, so our military planners and investors can get on the investment that is needed.”
Read more: Labour's defence review 'will leave open option of retaining nuclear deterrent'
SNP sources warned a vote to renew Trident, like the vote for Brexit, would highlight Scotland's "democratic deficit" within the Union.
In parallel with the Brexit vote, most UK MPs support renewal, while most Scots MPs do not.
The 54 current and two former SNP MPs are opposed, as is Labour’s Ian Murray.
LibDem Alistair Carmichael has said he wants a smaller scale replacement, leaving only the Tory Scottish Secretary David Mundell backing a like-for-like successor.
Recent polls show most Scots also oppose renewal, once don’t knows are excluded.
Scottish Labour opposed renewal at its conference last year, but the powerful GMB union wants to press ahead to save the skilled jobs tied to Faslane.
CND will stage a mass lobby of MPs at Westminster on Wednesday.
Read more: Top trade union boss: Scottish Labour is divided, out of touch and self-harms
SNP MSP Bill Kidd, a long-time anti-nuclear campaigner, said: “David Cameron has confirmed our worst fears — that the Tories are set to press ahead with an early vote on a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons.
“With the potential cost of renewing Trident sky-rocketing to over £200 billion, this would be a wasteful and reckless spend on a useless weapons programme which is opposed by the overwhelming majority of parliamentarians in Scotland.
“The Tory Prime Minister has learnt the hard way over recent weeks that big decisions can have severe consequences.
"He’s still got time to think again to save billions being wasted on the obscenity of new nuclear weapons on the Clyde.”
SNP MP Douglas Chapman added: “It is particularly galling that the UK government plans to dump this nuclear arsenal on the Clyde for the next 50 years despite overwhelming opposition from the Scottish Government and Parliament.”
The BBC reported on Friday that, despite Corbyn’s opposition to Trident renewal, Labour’s long-awaited defence review will leave the door open to a future nuclear deterrent.
Plaid Cymru, the SDLP and Greens also oppose renewal.
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