The Times reports today, “The Defence Select Committee, which has a majority of Labour MPs, is to begin a second inquiry on the case for replacing Trident, having accused the Ministry of Defence of failing to participate in its first such exercise this year.” MPs from both sides of the debate are concerned that the Government is determined to allow discussion only once a decision has been made. “Opponents of replacing Trident, say Mr Blair’s plan for a Cabinet decision first, followed by a White Paper setting out the Government’s recommendation to Parliament, would pre-empt the promised debate.”

            Messrs Blair and Brown have made it clear they support the replacement of Trident but the Prime Minister also pledged a full public debate on the issue, which is the very least that such a divisive and expensive project demands. However, MPs are right to be concerned that the discussion looks set to be conducted in the media rather than in Parliament.  Regardless of the specific arguments  surrounding Trident, which have been further complicated by North Korea’s recent nuclear tests (and which will be discussed in a forthcoming CentreForum pamphlet),  failure by the government to co-operate with the Defence Select Committee would represent a unacceptable stifling of debate amongst our elected officials.

 Pressure mounts for decision on nuclear deterrent By Greg Hurst – The Times

Also in today’s news:

• MPs Warn on School Failings

Nearly one million children in England attend schools that provide a "poor standard of education", the chairman of the Commons public accounts committee has warned.

• ‘Even Muslims Look at Me’

The Guardian’s Zaiba Malik provides insight of a day spent behind the veil.