On Lib Dem Voice: Reportage | Contribute

On the official party website: Conference home

Watch Live on BBC Parliament

Our party has always had a sceptical view of nuclear weapons. Whether we personally adhere to a multi-lateral or unilateral route to disarm, few members feel comfortable with the concept or reality of such a powerful weapons system.

There are issues of geo-diplomacy and security and not just party positioning at stake. Although not in power now, we need to consider our policy as if we were in government not just a party in opposition hunting for differentiation.

The United Kingdom is a stable partner amongst the nuclear defended nations of the world. The importance of stable partners should not be understated especially when the Non Proliferation talks take place every five years. Britain has been an important cog in the reduction of nuclear capability across the globe through these talks.

We need to consider the effects on geo-diplomacy if we unilaterally disarm. It is a delicate balance and we should be extremely careful when seeking to change that balance.

The local economic impact and the future of thousands of workers in the Faslane area is a factor too. I would never argue for jobs at any cost but equally a sudden change in policy would show a level of disregard for people’s livelihoods that would be out of character for our party.

And we cannot simply dismiss the role of our nuclear capability in securing the long period of relative peace and stability since the Second World War.

I accept there are counter arguments that we should abandon our capability. Some of them I find persuasive even if my ultimate conclusion remains the same.

However, these are enormous decisions with the future of our country’s security and that of our international partners at stake. I would therefore argue that we must set a high bar if we are to change our policy from the long deliberated and developed position.

No like for like replacement, an end to Continuous at Sea Deterrence and a reduction of submarines from four to three is a sensible and pragmatic approach in the fine traditions of our party. That is why I urge the conference not to change it in one conference motion but to engage in a longer deliberation of the issues.That kind of deliberation would be a reasonable and sensible response to such important matters.

That’s why I’m supporting Tim Farron and voting for Judith Jolly’s Amendment 1.

* Willie Rennie MSP is leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats