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New Trident system approved

London: Despite facing the biggest revolt in his party, British Prime Minister Tony Blair won a parliamentary vote for replacement of Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent with the support of Opposition Conservatives. Ninety-five Labour MPs, including former Ministers Michael Meacher, Gavin Strang and Frank Dobson, voted against the Government on a rebel motion calling for the decision on Trident to be delayed.

It was defeated with Tory support by 167 votes to 413. The motion in favour of building new Trident submarines was passed by 409 votes to 161. It exceeded the 72 who rebelled on student top-up fees some years ago. While Mr. Blair, who is to stand down within months, told the House of Commons that nuclear weapons were essential for Britain's future security, opponents argued that the costs were prohibitive and that Britain would be seen to be hypocritical in its dealings with Iran and North Korea.

Wednesday night's vote means that Britain will be able to order the ``design and concept'' phase of the new nuclear submarines, but the Government has been divided on the issue.

Nigel Griffiths, who resigned from the Government to vote against the Trident decision, called on Chancellor Gordon Brown to change direction after Mr. Blair by making Britain ``a country for peace, not war''.

``We have led the world in campaigning to meet the Kyoto targets, we have led the fight to eradicate global poverty. We must lead the world in campaigning for the eradication of the nuclear threat and we must lead by example,'' he said.

Critics of Mr. Blair said they believed the vote could become a watershed for his apparently unquestioning support for U.S.-led foreign policy. — PTI

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