Tories: ‘Backstabber’ Miliband in SNP Trident deal

HMS Ambush on the Clyde estuary. Picture: Royal Navy

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon will confirm today that a new Conservative government will go ahead with the construction of four new Trident nuclear missile submarines to replace the existing fleet.

In a speech in London, he will warn that Mr Miliband’s refusal to rule out a post-election deal with the SNP - which is committed to nuclear disarmament - would put the future of the deterrent in jeopardy.

The row broke out as Labour prepared to sign off its election manifesto at a “Clause 5” meeting of the shadow cabinet, together with senior officials from the ruling national executive, the national policy forum and the Parliamentary Labour Party.

Shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker accused the Tories of “resorting to the language of smear” insisting the Labour leader had made “crystal clear” that Britain’s national security was not a matter for negotiation.

Writing in The Times ahead of his address, Mr Fallon said: “Ed Miliband stabbed his own brother in the back to become Labour leader. Now he is willing to stab the United Kingdom in the back to become prime minister.”

Labour - like the Conservatives - is committed to replacing the ageing fleet of Vanguard class submarines which carry the Trident missiles and maintaining the continuous at-sea deterrent, ensuring there is always one nuclear-armed vessel on patrol.

However with the polls suggesting the SNP could be the third largest party in another hung parliament, Nicola Sturgeon has made clear that the price of their support after the election on May 7 would be scrapping Trident.

Mr Fallon will say in his speech: “Nicola Sturgeon could not be clearer. She has told Ed Miliband that scrapping Trident - our country’s vital nuclear deterrent - is a red line she will not cross.

“If he wants the keys to Number 10, he must abandon any plans to renew our current Vanguard ballistic missile submarines.”

After Ms Sturgeon used the first of the televised Scottish leaders’ debates to offer to put Mr Miliband in Downing Street, Mr Fallon will say it is a “sign of weakness” on the part of the Labour leader that he has failed to rule out such a deal.

“Voters can only conclude that he would be prepared to trade Britain’s national security just to get his hands on the keys to Downing Street,” he will say.

“The future of our country’s security will be on the ballot paper. There will be a clear choice between a Conservative government that will put our national security first. Or Ed Miliband, a man so desperate for power he is ready to barter away our nuclear deterrent in a backroom deal with the SNP.”

Mr Coaker hit back, saying: “As Ed Miliband has already made crystal clear, national security is not a matter for negotiation. We support renewal of Trident along with a renewed focus on multilateral disarmament.

“Labour is committed to maintaining a minimum, credible, independent nuclear deterrent, delivered through a continuous-at-sea deterrent. This is not up for negotiation with any party.

“The Tories are resorting to the language of smear. They are increasingly desperate as their campaign lurches on in confusion and chaos.”

In his speech, Mr Fallon will liken the SNP’s approach to defence to a “student protest group”, warning that it would put the security of the whole country at risk.

“The SNP’s childlike world view would sacrifice the long-term security of the UK and play into the hands of our enemies. The nuclear deterrent protects all of Britain and the SNP represents a separatist threat that would dangerously weaken our collective defence,” he will say.

“When Britain faces nuclear blackmail by rogue states, this self-indulgent approach is more suited to a student protest group than a party of government. Britain doesn’t pay ransoms and the Conservatives would never bow to demands from Scottish separatists.”

Today also sees the final deadline for nominations for General Election candidates, which closes at 4pm.