British MPs vote to renew Trident nuclear weapons system

Majority back British government motion on deterrent in the House of Commons

The result of a vote by MPs on whether to replace the Trident weapons system is read out in the House of Commons in London, England. Photograph: PA Wire

Mon Jul 18 2016 - 22:37

Britain's Trident nuclear weapons system has been given a strong vote of confidence by MPs after they backed renewing the deterrent.

The decisive result - by 472 votes to 117 - was returned in support of a British government motion, which also included backing the plan to replace the existing submarine fleet carrying the missiles with four new Successor submarines.

Renewal of the deterrent is predicted to cost £31 billion, with a £10 billion contingency fund also set aside.

Free vote

Labour MPs were subject to a free vote, with leader Jeremy Corbyn declaring he would oppose the motion - a stance which led to strong criticism from some of his backbenchers.

The SNP, the third largest party in the Commons with 54 MPs, also opposed the government’s plan.