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Question 1. The Scottish Parliament should continue to call on the UK government not to go ahead with the current proposal to replace Trident.

- Yes

Question 2. The Scottish Parlaiment should call on the UK government to cease the deployment of Trident

- Yes

Question 3. The Scottish Parliament should support a Nuclear Weapons Convention (a global ban on nuclear weapons).

- Yes

"The evil of nuclear warfare is indisputable. Storing our own weapons of mass destruction is wrong. Replacing them is wrong and using them would be an abomination. Besides the abhorrent destructive nature of such weapons, the cost is overwhelming, especially at a time when ordinary working people are facing savage cuts to our public services."

Question 4. Are you for or against the construction of new nuclear power stations in Scotland ?

"I have many reasons for not supporting nuclear energy.

"The proliferation of nuclear weapons is inextricably linked to nuclear power through the requirement by both industries for enriched uranium and the generation of plutonium as a by-product of spent nuclear fuel. I have been a long time supporter of a nuclear free world and, in my opinion, this requires a non-nuclear energy policy.

"Nuclear accidents happen and facilities can also be a target for terrorist attacks. After the Glasgow airport incident, I don't think anyone can be of a mind that Scotland is immune from such threats.

"Chernobyl is one tragic example showing us the horrors of an accident with the fall-out still affecting us. The more recent situation in Japan again highlights the dangers.

"Nuclear power produces carcinogenic toxic radioactive waste and no safe solution has yet been found to store it.

"There are many other issues such as the fact that nuclear energy is not carbon emission free, uranium ore will run out therefore it is not sustainable, uranium mining kills workers around the world and it is operated by big business, massively subsidized by the public purse.

"Research has shown increased cancer in children under five living near nuclear power stations and, as a mother, I have particularly strong feelings on the health issues, safety matters and the kind of world we leave to our children."

Elaine Smith voted for the motion which opposed Trident replacement.

She proposed an amendment which would have made the motion stronger by deleting the phrase "at this time". In speeches she criticised the wording in the original motion arguing that it was not anti-Trident. The Presiding Officer did not include her amendment in the debate. The amendment was supported by 5 other Labour MSPs.

Replied to survey in November 2006 saying

"I was pleased to be able to speak against the replacement of Trident on the platform at the George Square rally during the Long Walk for Peace and to join with the walk as it crossed my constituency.

It is unthinkable that we would ever use these weapons of mass destruction; it is hypocritical to harbour them whilst at the same time condemning the nuclear ambitions of other countries; and it would therefore be an excellent opportunity to signal a commitment to world peace by neither replacing nor renewing these horrific missiles and instead investing the billions of pounds in socially useful provision, such as education and health; to the benefit of the vast majority of British citizens."

Voted for SNP motion (opposing Trident replacement) and abstained on Labour amendment Made speech during debate.

Trident debate May 2006:

Abstained on Green motion (opposing Trident replacement) and abstained on Labour amendment

Scotland's Long Walk for Peace
Trident Renewal Debate

S3M-01748: Support for Scottish CND

S3M-02284: Nuclear "Popcorning"

S3M-02737: A Budget for Peace not War