US weapons
The Bush administration has selected the design for America’s first new nuclear warhead in nearly two decades. US officials say the warhead will not add to the country’s nuclear arsenal, but will replace existing missiles. Critics have complained it sends the wrong signal at a time when the White House is leading efforts to curb Iran and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
BBC 3rd March 2007
Scotsman 3rd March 2007
Guardian website 3rd March 2007
Trident
A coalition of environmentalists, scientific groups, non-governmental organizations, trade unionists, peace campaigners and research institutes Friday joined the growing calls on the UK government to delay upgrading the country’s nuclear arms. “We believe parliament should not be rushed into a premature decision to replace our nuclear weapons system and that more time should be taken for parliamentary and public scrutiny and debate,” said the coalition, which included London mayor Ken Livingstone. Their joint call comes after Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said on Thursday that he will urge his party’s 63 MPs to join backbench Labour rebels in opposing Prime Minister Tony Blair’s plans to replace the UK’s Trident nuclear missiles.
Islamic Republican News 2nd March 2007
Guardian letters 2nd March 2007
A 94-year-old woman joined tens of thousands of people at a demonstration in London against nuclear weapons. Alice Beer, who lives in Leicester, was one of more than 80 campaigners from the city to take part in the demonstration at the weekend.
Leicester Mercury 3rd March 2007
Letter: The Government is conducting a public discussion on whether the Trident nuclear deterrent system should be renewed.
Nottingham Evening Post 2nd March 2007
On March 14, Parliament will vote on what the White Paper proposes. It will decide whether Britain should or should not remain a nuclear power. Charles Moore gives the reasons why we should keep the bomb.
Telegraph 3rd March 2007
Libya
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has said his country has not been given adequate compensation for its decision to renounce nuclear weapons in 2003. Speaking to the BBC, Colonel Gaddafi said the failure by the West to reward Libya meant Iran and North Korea were reluctant to follow Tripoli’s lead.
BBC 3rd March 2007
Hinkley
Although West Somerset council’s Local Plan Policy does say it opposes further nuclear development, this does not include the replacement of existing stations once they have been de-commissioned. The Local Plan Policy EN/5 states the council will resist the development of further nuclear power generation capacity at Hinkley Point. However, the policy does allow for the site’s nuclear power generation capacity to be replaced. “West Somerset Council does not have a policy that states it will oppose the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point if it is to replace Hinkley A or B, providing it does not exceed their (A & B’s) generating capacity.”
Bridgwater Mercury 2nd March 2007
Nuclear Waste
Dean Parish Council has been given extra time to consider plans for a controversial radioactive waste recycling plant in west Cumbria. Studsvik UK would create 30 jobs at Lillyhall with the plant, which would be used for decontaminating metal from the nuclear industry.
Wigan Today 2nd March 2007
Britain must not go ahead with a new generation of nuclear power stations until it has a “clear and robust” plan in place for dealing with the twin problems of decommissioning and waste treatment, the world’s leading energy body warned yesterday.
Belfast Telegraph 2nd March 2007
New Civil Engineer 2nd March 2007
THORP
A report detailing the reasons for a leak at Sellafield’s Thorp plant in 2005 has re-opened diplomatic wounds, with the Irish government claiming it confirms its suspicions of a poor safety record.
Edie 26th February 2007
New nukes
The slapping down of the government over its nuclear power “consultation” shows that this frankness may not extend to every issue. E-petitions are a valid aspect of engagement, but, as the road-user charging episode showed, it is important to avoid the impression that a sounding board can become a plebiscite. Despite this, it would be nitpicking for advocates of a more open form of government not to welcome the change. Apparently, you can teach an old dog new tricks. The sadness is that Blair’s team is doing all this against a backdrop of a media less and less interested in what No 10 thinks.
Guardian 3rd March 2007
