It was welcoming today to hear that four senior Generals have come out against replacing the trident missile system.

The key for Liberal Democrats is that the world has changed beyond belief since the cold war, when Trident was commissioned.

We no longer need to point a range of missiles permanently at one country. Threats to our country now come from different sources, international terrorism, dirty bombs, rogue states.

Trident is quickly becoming obsolete, which is why its potential replacement is on the agenda now. However first of all we have to be clear. While other senior military figures insist that a decision does not need to be made now, and Tridents life could be lengthened, the harsh reality is that we need to adapt our military capabilities to a different era and new challenges.

When coupled with the difficult economic times we currently face, it makes economic and military sense to address this issue as part of a widespread review of military spending that should ensure that our forces can meet the challenges they are likely to face over the coming decade with the best possible resources and equipment. Trident should be part of that review.

The Lib Dems are not looking to unilaterally disarm, but would wish the UK Government to play its part alongside current innitiatives by President Obama, to reduce the worlds nuclear arsenal and tackle head-on the issue of nuclear weaponry development amongst rogue states and in general.

Labour and Tory opposition to these proposals is yet another example of their failure to adapt to changing times. A combination of still fighting the cold war and protecting the “empire” still prevail at great cost to our military budget and under resourced and protected service men and women.

If you would like to read the General’s letter to the Times you can follow the link here.