Pro-Trident anti-independence campaign left with headache after Cameron visit

Reaction to David Cameron's claims that North Korea is currently capable of attacking the UK with a nuclear missile has been overwhelmingly negative, with former Tory Defence Secretary Michael Portillo describing the claims as 'absurd'.

A briefing recently published by the anti-independence campaign made explicitly clear that they are a pro-nuclear weapons organisation, claiming that nuclear weapons are the "ultimate guarantee of our national security".

The most recent opinion poll on the subject found that four in every five people in Scotland are opposed to paying up to £100 billion to site a new generation of nuclear weapons on the Clyde - including three-quarters of those currently thinking of voting No.

Commenting, SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn said: "The huge backlash to David Cameron’s posturing on Trident this week, in which he tried to hype up the supposed threat to the UK from North Korea, has caused real problems for the No campaign.

"They have explicitly tied themselves to a pro-nuclear weapons position - despite the overwhelming opposition of people in Scotland – and have now been left on the back foot in having to justify David Cameron’s wild claims.

"Why does the No campaign trust the dodgy claims of David Cameron more than they trust the reasoned view of people in Scotland, who are overwhelmingly opposed to Trident - by 80 per cent in the most recent poll? Scotland's Parliament has also voted decisively against Trident.

"Cameron’s speech strikes at the heart of the credibility of the Westminster system, and the credibility of the No campaign itself.

"If this is the way David Cameron conducts himself, then it's no wonder that the anti-independence campaign is desperate to keep the Prime Minister as far away from the debate in Scotland as possible. But he is the real leader of the No campaign, and put himself at the front of the No campaign this week.

"There is no justification for wasting up to £100 billion on a new generation of weapons of mass destruction, and only a Yes vote in September 2014 will ensure that these weapons are removed from the Clyde once and for all."

Notes:

The No campaign briefing confirming their pro-nuclear position can be viewed at http://b.3cdn.net/better/1d626f971129f12f3e_71m6baqxn.pdf

Details of the recent poll which found 80% of people in Scotland are opposed to replacing Trident can be viewed at http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/even-pro-uk-voters-reject-trident-move.20481478