The Travesty of a Trident Debate

Tony Blair has now announced what readers of this blog have known for more than a week, that we are pressing ahead with a revamped Trident nuclear missile system, at a cost of up to £20bn [the £14bn I mentioned in the original blog is just for the missiles and warheads, as "3rd Column" was quick to point out]. I dont know why the prime minister bothered making the announcement really, it was no surprise to readers of TimesOnline. But for those who missed it here it is, just as I wrote it:

The cabinet had its first sight of the White Paper produced to justify continuing with a submarine-based nuclear deterrent on Thursday ahead of its official unveiling in Parliament on Monday. Tony Blair has promised MPs a full debate on the issue sometime early next year and reportedly told last week’s cabinet meeting that he wants to launch the debate very quickly "because a decision needs to be made". It’s a good quote that isn’t it? You can actually hear him saying it, with that little bit of irritation that we just don't get it in his voice. The truth is that a decision doesn’t need to be made now at all. But whether it does or not is irrelevant, because the key decisions have already been made. So MPs from whatever side of the house can go whistle, what they say will not change a thing. Is this what passes for democracy under President Blair? I’m afraid it is and the sooner we get rid of it the better.