CND has called on new Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth MP to recognise how unpopular the government's Trident plans are and to delay the 'Initial Gate' decision as his first act in the job.

Ainsworth, previously a junior minister at the Ministry of Defence, was appointed after John Hutton's resignation on Friday. The Initial Gate marks the end of the 'concept phase' for the Trident replacement programme. A report will be put by the MoD to government for a decision to go ahead on the next phase of the replacement process.

This is currently due to take place in September, when Parliament is in recess and MPs will be unable to discuss the report. So far over 150 Members of Parliament have signed Jeremy Corbyn MP's Early Day Motion calling on the government to delay the decision until MPs have returned.

CND Chair Kate Hudson said,

"The new Cabinet has to face facts. The Labour government has gone against the grain of public opinion on too many issues, one of which is Trident."

Aside from the moral argument, the country cannot afford to waste public money on replacing Trident, particularly in the current economic crisis. The idea that the government will give the nod to costly new design work whilst Parliament is closed for the summer is outrageous. This is not something that right-thinking MPs or members of the public will accept.

At a time when President Obama is leading new disarmament initiatives, there is no case for Trident replacement. Bob Ainsworth should immediately announce that the Initial Gate decision will be delayed until MPs can debate it after the summer recess."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Take two minutes to tell your MP to back our demand: Delay the Trident Initial Gate decision. Over 150 MPs have now signed Jeremy Corbyn's EDM entitled 'Parliamentary Scrutiny of Trident Replacement'. Despite the government's commitment to ensure regular reports to Parliament on the progress of replacing Trident, the decision will take place during this summer's parliamentary recess - preventing MPs from scrutinising and discussing the report.

The demand from MPs is growing - make sure yours signs up as well.

Take two minutes to lobby your MP to sign EDM 660 'Parliamentary Scrutiny of Trident Replacement' -

www.cnduk.org/index.php/get-involved/actions/lobby-your-mp-to-sign-edm-660.html