Wed. July 4, 2012
Trident in Milford Haven? Letters in the Western Mail June 23 2012
Trident base would cost Haven jobs
SIR – I don’t suppose I can persuade Carwyn Jones to change his mind about the welcome he has just given to the possibility of Trident coming to Milford Haven (“Nuclear submarines ‘more than welcome in Wales’ – Carwyn”, June 20).
Irrespective of the dubious benefits to the local economy, I believe the use or threatened use of nuclear weapons is immoral and the very possession of them no less so.
But he also appears to be blissfully unaware of the disastrous impact this would have on the local economy. May I appeal to his pragmatism instead?
The potential impact of stationing Trident at Milford Haven has been explored by several studies and is recorded in a well-researched book Uncharted Waters: The UK, nuclear weapons and the Scottish question (Tuckwell Press 2001) by Professors William Walker and Malcolm Chalmers.
They said that Milford Haven was ruled out in 1963 because of the proximity between the proposed base and the one oil refinery which had then just been opened – and, specifically, “Milford Haven was rejected on safety grounds because of the dangers involved in handling and storing high explosives near major oil facilities”.
With regard to Trident, they said: “These refineries would have to close if a new submarine base were located there”. So whatever jobs might come to Milford Haven (for the people displaced in Scotland), would be offset by a far greater loss of jobs for existing workers at the refineries and gas terminals. That is hardly a boost to the local economy.
Additionally, does Carwyn really suppose that the tourist industry, that is so important in Pembrokeshire, will be boosted by the arrival of weapons of mass destruction? You cannot be serious.
Dr John Cox
Vice-Chair CND Cymru, Pontypool, Torfaen
Think again, Carwyn
SIR – I was left alarmed and concerned by Carwyn’s desperate job creation plea with his announcement that weapons of mass destruction would be welcome in Wales.
Moving aside the ethical reasons for opposition for the time being, Carwyn’s job creation figures are grossly inaccurate when only around 1,600 jobs have been created at the current Faslane base.
The 6,000 Welsh jobs figure seems to have been plucked out of thin air, which is hardly surprising as I am pretty sure Carwyn has not briefed his Cabinet or consulted in any form. In addition, the lion’s share of the jobs would go to military and Ministry of Defence personal from around the UK with little impact on the local jobs economy.
It is not just pacifists who are outraged by Carwyn’s welcome of WMDs, indeed a recent poll found that 70% of Scots want Trident out of Scotland.
While I was firmly against Labour’s illegal war in Iraq and the Afghan conflict, I did serve for seven years as a reservist in the Royal Navy, and have complete empathy with the difficulties of those serving in such conflicts with poorly funded and outdated equipment, which adds further weight to the £100bn affordability issue.
If the oil refineries in Milford Haven are not already a major terrorist target, the local area would become under increased threat.
Rather than advocating weapons that would create mass murder, insufferable damage to the environment and destroy Wales’ international image, Carwyn must go back to the drawing board and come up with some job creation schemes, and quickly.
TIM THOMAS
Former Plaid Cymru Assembly candidate for Bridgend
A toxic mix
SIR – I read with astonishment the statement made by the First Minister regarding the welcome we are said to be ready to extend to any deployment of nuclear submarines in Milford Haven.
He said: “There would be more than a welcome for the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet in Milford Haven.”
A somewhat toxic mix I would have thought. Nuclear, oil and LNG! Yes, First Minister, we are keen on new investments, but please talk to us before you make such rash and ill considered statements.
MICHAEL WILLIAMS
Plaid Cymru councillor for Tenby North
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/letters-to-the-editor/western-mail-letters/2012/06/23/western-mail-letters-saturday-23-june-2012-91466-31243003/#ixzz1zgo8hRDJ
