Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has urged the British government to start building a fully independent nuclear missile system.
He said the UK should no longer rely on the US for key parts of its nuclear deterrent.
The UK currently controls its nuclear warheads but depends on the US for the Trident missile system that carries them. These missiles are supplied and maintained by the US under a long-standing technology-sharing agreement.
Davey said Britain must remove this dependence.
Speaking to the BBC, he said, “When we’ve got presidents in the White House like Donald Trump, totally unreliable, I don’t think we can have our nuclear deterrent dependent on the mood at breakfast of the person in the Oval Office.”
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The UK developed nuclear weapons in the early years of the Cold War. It became the world’s third country to build a nuclear bomb after the US and Russia. Initially, the weapons were carried by Royal Air Force aircraft.
Since the 1960s, Britain has relied on submarines armed with US-built Trident missiles. These submarines remain continuously at sea to maintain nuclear readiness. The British prime minister has the authority to launch the missiles if required.
Britain’s nuclear force also forms part of NATO’s collective security system.
Davey presented his proposal during his party’s spring conference in York. He argued that continued reliance on US technology creates a risk to national security.
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He told party members: “Britain’s nuclear deterrent must be genuinely, verifiably ours, not dependent on Trump or whoever his successor may be.”
He added that the UK should invest in domestic development when the country replaces the Trident system in the 2040s.
“We have the best scientists, engineers, and builders in the world,” Davey said. “So let’s build our own truly independent nuclear deterrent here in the UK.”
According to the proposal, Britain could first develop the ability to maintain the existing Trident system domestically. Later, it could build a completely British-made replacement missile.
The UK Ministry of Defence responded by defending the current nuclear policy.
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A spokesperson said, “Our independent nuclear deterrent protects us every minute of every day and remains the ultimate guarantee of national security.”
The ministry also said a modernised nuclear force will remain central to Britain’s defence strategy and its commitment to NATO.
The Liberal Democrats have not provided a detailed cost estimate for building a new missile system. However, analysts believe it would cost far more than the current programme to replace Trident submarines.
Davey’s party pointed to France as an example. France is the only other European country with nuclear weapons and has always maintained a fully independent nuclear system.
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According to the party, France’s missile programme in the 1970s cost about £20 billion in today’s value. They argue a similar investment could be spread over two decades.
The issue of nuclear weapons has long divided the Liberal Democrats. Many members support global nuclear disarmament. However, party leaders now say changing security threats require a more realistic approach.
