Blair wins nuclear vote despite revolt

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — Prime Minister Tony Blair won backing for plans to renew Britain's nuclear deterrent Wednesday, but only after an embarrassing revolt from within his own Labour ranks.

After a sometimes rowdy debate and the resignation of two more junior government ministers, lawmakers voted by 409 in favour of renewing the US-built Trident missile system, and 161 against.

The motion only passed with the backing of opposition Conservatives, after 95 Labour MPs voted against their own government, according to the BBC.

The parliamentary rebuff was believed to be the the biggest rebellion within Labour ranks since March 2003, when 138 Labour MPs, including former foreign secretary Robin Cook, voted against invading Iraq.

Anti-nuclear campaigners hailed...