Tory dirty tricks & smears . . .

Booo! Is there nothing else comparable at a smaller cost?

It's an annoying aspect of the policies. It doesn't affect me on a daily basis (well, you know what I mean), but on the off chance it is required, it makes a huge difference.

What are the global/legal implications of a pre-emptive nuclear strike though? I doubt the world would look to favourably on it, regardless of how good our intel and disliked the enemy is.
The global/legal implications of launching a pre-emptive nuclear attack on a military installation would be very serious, which is why, of course, that we would only be able to do so if we were very sure that it was necessary.

The Trident system gives us the ability to neutralise a threat almost anywhere in the world within minutes. It's a "last resort" system, but the belief is that it can deploy a single warhead with a very low yield (1/40th of the Hiroshima blast) in order to minimise environmental effects and collateral damage.

The only real alternatives to a system like Trident are ICBM launchers on UK soil. The downside to this is they instantly become targets, which is the very reason we don't have any. Other systems such as cruise missile delivery, aircraft or giant cannons all suffer from a lack of flexibility, slow delivery times or being able to be easily countered.
 
we need to destroy a military installation in North Korea that our intelligence says is going to mount a nuclear attack in an hour, it will take 4 days to deliver the warhead.

The Trident system could deliver it in 15-20 minutes.

I'm pro-trident although open to viable alternatives. We would never use a nuke for a pre-emptive strike as we'd be nuked to hell in return by god knows how many countries.. It's there for political posturing, deterrence and retribution..

We're not going to get an intel report saying 'OMG North Korea are going to launch a nuke in 1 hour, we have access to their launch system, we know it's aimed at us and that it's locked in. We know 100% that this isn't a fake report just as we knew Saddam was ready to launch" then panic and press a button that triggers a nuclear war..
 
We're not going to get an intel report saying 'OMG North Korea are going to launch a nuke in 1 hour, we have access to their launch system, we know it's aimed at us and that it's locked in. We know 100% that this isn't a fake report just as we knew Saddam was ready to launch" then panic and press a button that triggers a nuclear war..

Exactly. Our intel would never be that precise or accurate. Even if you did see a nuclear weapon being fuelled from orbit, you'd never know what its intended would be.

But I'm not a military general. I don't have the knowledge and experience to give an opinion on what our nuclear deterrent should be. If the Lib Dems want to engage the armed forces in a discussion on our nuclear deterrent then that sounds like a sensible way forward.
 
So what if he used the money for legit purposes, you aren't supposed to recieve donations into your private bank account.

It was within parliamentary rules, declared in the register of member's interests, and used for the purpose it was meant for.
 
COULD NICK CLEGG STEAL THE IDENTITY OF YOUR MORTGAGE?
HAS NICK CLEGG HAD SEX WITH HOUSE PRICES?
IS NICK CLEGG STEALING THE IDENTITY OF THE CHURCH?
IS NICK CLEGG HAVING SEX WITH THE MEMORY OF DIANA?
WILL NICK CLEGG GIVE THE ROYAL FAMILY CANCER?

YES, YES, YES, NO, PROBABLY

Read all about it tomorrow. :D
 
So what if he used the money for legit purposes, you aren't supposed to recieve donations into your private bank account.
As I understand it, Nick Clegg didn't break any rules did he?

I don't think that the excuse that "it was within the rules" is ever acceptable; I think that all politicians as with everyone else should apply the "reasonableness" test to all of their behaviour.

In Nick Clegg's case, I don't think that what he did was unreasonable or dishonest.

I believe that what Cashcroft and Hague did was completely unreasonable and thoroughly dishonest :mad:
 
How do you know we have no use for it? Who knows what the future may hold for the UK.

I think it's just better to be safe than sorry.

Nah, it's cool, we'll give america a bell if we need a nuclear weapon. "Yo, Obama, quick question, the shops have closed, can we borrow some nukes mate?"
And he'll be all like "Yeah man, I still kind owe you for bushes **** ups, where do you want them?"

People are bricking it but there is basicaly no threat to the UK of nuclear arms either way. South africa downed arms, I say we should be next in line.
I'd rather the money be spent in other areas of the military to deal with more real modern day threats, if not spread out over public services.

Aside from that, we cannot afford it, it's just putting us deeper into debt.
 
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Nah, it's cool, we'll give America a bell if we need a nuclear weapon. "Yo, Obama, quick question, the shops have closed, can we borrow some nukes mate?"
And he'll be all like "Yeah man, I still kind owe you for bushes **** ups, where do you want them?" ...
I believe that in practice we couldn't launch any "independent" nuclear missiles without the approval of the Americans anyhow . . . something about "dual-key" . . . :confused:

Certainly, much of the money spent on replacing Trident would be likely to end up in America anyhow.
 
I'm pro-trident although open to viable alternatives. We would never use a nuke for a pre-emptive strike as we'd be nuked to hell in return by god knows how many countries.. It's there for political posturing, deterrence and retribution..

We're not going to get an intel report saying 'OMG North Korea are going to launch a nuke in 1 hour, we have access to their launch system, we know it's aimed at us and that it's locked in. We know 100% that this isn't a fake report just as we knew Saddam was ready to launch" then panic and press a button that triggers a nuclear war..
Firstly, we wouldn't be nuked in return by god knows how many countries. There are only four with a delivery system able to launch an attack on the UK, two of which are close allies and could be in support of such a move. No country in the world would launch a nuclear attack on the UK in response to a nuclear attack on North Korea.

Secondly, change the hypothetical scenario to North Korea has launched a missile and intelligence shows they are preparing to launch more. It would be just action that Trident gives us the capability to perform.
I believe that in practice we couldn't launch any "independent" nuclear missiles without the approval of the Americans anyhow . . . something about "dual-key" . . . :confused:
As far as I've ever been able to find out, this isn't true. We may of course consult with them for any number of reasons, but they do not control the missiles that are in operation.
If the Lib Dems want to engage the armed forces in a discussion on our nuclear deterrent then that sounds like a sensible way forward.
This isn't what they are proposing. They will block a like-for-like replacement of Trident as an option and basically let them decide between one inadequate system or another. There's no point in a nuclear deterrent if you can't deliver it, and Trident is one of the best nuclear delivery systems in existence.
 
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I have no doubt that the Torygraph leads today with an abject apology to Nick Clegg whose party is the only one that is likely to lead to a change in British politics.

I'm missing where that qoute is from, and where the "smears" were untrue, or what makes it dirty tricks? They found out Clegg got payments into his private account, which is very strange, papers ask about it, it gets cleared up......... oooo how devestatingly terrible.

Seriously, wheres the bad part of this exactly?
 
Think its time for new party so ill be voting lib dems plus hes gona decriminalize cannabis so thats good news for those that need it for medical reasons.
 
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