David Cameron entered a diplomatic row last night as he equated the future threat from China with that from Iran. David Miliband was quick to condemn the remarks.
David Cameron entered a diplomatic row during the leaders’ debate last night as he equated the future threat from China with that from Iran. Foreign Secretary David Miliband was quick to condemn the move.
During the debate, speaking in defence of the Conservative party policy to “renew britain’s submarine-based nuclear deterrent, based on the Trident missile system”, David Cameron said:
“Are we really happy to say that we’d give up our independent nuclear deterrent when we don’t know what is going to happen with Iran, we can’t be certain of the future in China?”
Watch it:
Foreign Secretary David Miliband was quick to condemn Cameron’s words:
“To put China and Iran in the same bracket is an insult to a follow permanent member of the UN security council and to a country with whom we have just announced a close strategic relationship. David Cameron should withdraw this slur now.”
The Conservatives issued a statement: “David Cameron was demonstrating the extent of uncertainties in the world, not saying China is a threat to the U.K.”
Scrapping Trident would not mean losing an independent nuclear deterrent. As Nick Clegg made clear on the Today programme last week, “you could equip the Astute submarine”. Left Foot Forward has estimated that £45 billion could be saved through this approach.
UPDATE 12.55:
Anna Chen writes for Labour List:
“Is Cameron seriously equating China with “rogue state” Iran? May I ask you in your saner moments, David (assuming you have any): with all the money they’re pouring into saving our sorry skint skins, why would China want to nuke its own investment?”
UPDATE 19.04:
Mike Ion has an interesting take on why “the scrapping of Trident could end up being a vote winner and not a vote loser.”
33 Responses to “David Cameron sees reds under the bed”
Lisa
RT @Jon2aylor: Cameron's scaremongering about the threat posed by China shows he'd be a liability on the world stage. #SameOldTories http://bit.ly/br2viW
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Rasputin
So China is a threat with only 20 icbm . The US has 20000nw on 15 min alert ready to attack. The problem is if the US were to try to totally destroy China’s nw they could be in for a surprise.First the PLA can retaliate and secondly the Chinese may have more than the stated number. Finally the PLA retaliation can consist of more than thirty nm to attack the US.
Please do not demonize the PLA. They will become a threat if under attack so please don’t tell lies.The US can easily destroy China but will suffer intloreable damage. I am afraid the PLA is more than capable of dishing out more damage if under attack. This is not the opium war era.