Peace campaigner sets up party to oppose Trident

Published on Wednesday 28 March 2007 14:19

A CITY peace campaigner has set up a new political party and plans to stand against First Minister Jack McConnell at the Scottish Parliament elections on May 3.

Richard Leat, 58, decided to launch the Anti-Trident Party as a focus for opposition to the renewal of Britain's nuclear deterrent, which MPs voted for earlier this month. And he said he would stand as the party's candidate in Mr McConnell's constituency of Motherwell and Wishaw.

The Anti-Trident Party hopes to fight three or four other seats in addition.

But where it is not fielding a candidate of its own, the party is urging people to vote for other parties or candidates who are "unambiguous" in their opposition to Trident.

Mr Leat, a self-employed builder from Rutland Square in Edinburgh's West End, said: "The Scottish Parliament has the power to stop Trident through its planning and health and safety powers," he said.

"If it chose, it could make it impossible for Trident to be established here.

"Many people claim the Scottish Parliament has too few powers to deal with an issue as big as this. But the parliament belongs to the Scottish people. It will be what we make of it. It is up to us to use it to get rid of Trident."