Trident

My constituency NuLab MP Nigel Griffiths has an appalling voting record in the House of Commons, voting with the whip on every issue. He backed Blair on the Iraq invasion despite concerns over the UN resolutions and voted against a later inquiry when the reasons for war went arse-over-tip. He's firmly of the Blunkett/Reid/Clarke school on ID cards, with surveillance the best form of defense against terrorism. His shameful record is accessible here. I do not like him one little bit. However, today he has resigned his government post on the issue of the replacement for Trident. Nigel will not be voting with the government on Wednesday to support the renewal of Trident.

I'd like to think that Nigel had an epiphany that perpetual war is not the best future for our children, but it's probably more prosaic. He's sitting on a marginal seat with only a 400 majority and elections are not so far ahead. Scots (whom he allegedly represents) are surprisingly unkeen on having Yankee WMD on their doorstep for many reasons, including the instinct for self-preservation and the will to live. I shan't be expecting him at the next protest against the existing and still-lethal nukes at Faslane, but it's a nice thought.

Addendum:
Another cynic has analysed Nigel's resignation, and also finds the majority issue of note.