Trident proved to be a topic of hot debate during the prospective candidates’ debate at Bournemouth University
In tonight’s BU Question Time event discussion over the UK’s nuclear base in Scotland, Trident, caused significant tension.
Candidates and audience members alike were split between supporting the base and seeking the overall removal of nuclear weapons from the UK
Green Party prospective MP for Bournemouth West, Elizabeth McManus began the talks by first pushing for a complete banning of Trident.
UKIP prospective MP for Poole, David Young first said that “the question of Trident is very difficult to justify” as Trident would have no conceivable use against threats such as ISIS, but also emphasised that “much as one would like to live without these things, we live in an increasingly dangerous world”.
The discussion became lively when Lib Dem prospective MP for Bournemouth East, Jon Nicholas disagreed with the prospective UKIP MP, saying: “I don’t believe the world is getting more dangerous.” Nicholas used the opportunity to instead suggest that “UKIP’s rhetoric is based on fear” and that “the rhetoric of fear is what the Trident discussion has been about”.
Nicholas’ views led to major catcalling from the audience as one member went on to suggest that “the nuclear terror is an insurance against the horror we had to put up with in the 20th century”. While other later described Trident as a “necessary evil”.
Conservative prospective MP for Bournemouth West, Conor Burns described himself of being in favour of the Trident programme and turned the debate to a question over Scotland’s membership of the UK. He said: “I don’t want Trident to leave Scotland because I don’t want Scotland to leave the United Kingdom.”
Labour prospective MP for Poole, Helen Rosser spoke lastly as she told the audience she herself believed the UK should be “careful” about Trident.
