Trident Enters The Election Debate

The General Election campaign focus has shifted onto the future of Britain's nuclear deterrent.

The Conservatives and Labour have clashed over the renewal of the Trident programme, a decision on which is due in 2016.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has accused Ed Miliband of seeking to trade the UK's nuclear deterrent for the support of the SNP in order to secure power in the General Election.

Labour however has rubbished the claim and reiterated its commitment to "a minimum, credible, independent nuclear deterrent", adding that "This is not up for negotiation with any party."

Scrapping Trident is an absolute must for the Scottish National Party, with their leader Nicola Sturgeon making it clear that any support from the SNP in a hung parliament would come with a nuclear price. 

For the last 46 years the UK has kept a ballistic missile submarine at sea to deter a nuclear strike - that service currently being provided by HMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance.

A report in February of this year suggested Britain could save up to £13 billion if it replaced Trident with a strike force of aircraft armed with atomic bombs. 

Victoria Graham spoke to the Evening Standard's defence correspondent, Robert Fox, about the decisions a new British government will have to make.