Cameron: We must maintain a nuclear deterrent

Conservative leader David Cameron has welcomed Tony Blair’s announcement that the Trident nuclear weapons system is to be replaced.

Mr Cameron said he recognised the world had changed since the end of the Cold War but argued that maintaining Britain’s nuclear deterrent was just as important today as it was 20 years ago.

"We can't predict the threat we may face in 20 years' time, still less can we predict the threat in 40 or 50 years when the next generation of submarines will actually still be in service," he said.

"There are some who will argue that because the major threat is now rogue states it is not necessary to have submarine-based alternatives but the replacement for Trident will cover the period 2025 to 2055 when the nature of the threat is completely unpredictable – it may be rogue states, it may be major powers. We should have a credible deterrent for both."