Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen councillor Ray Davies was among a group of anti-Trident protesters who chained themselves together outside the gates of a Scottish naval base.
The Labour councillor, who is a well-known critic of nuclear weapons, was among the 100-strong group from The Scrap Trident coalition demonstrating at Faslane Naval Base, in Argyll, yesterday.
The base is home to the UK’s nuclear Trident weapons system.
Cllr Davies, 83, told the Press Association: “I am here on behalf of the people of Wales. I am here on behalf of my seven grandchildren, my 12 great-grandchildren and for the children of the world because we want a world that’s not poisoned. We want a planet that can live in peace and can have a future,” he said.
“There can never be a peaceful world with nuclear weapons, not just nuclear weapons but the pollution from the power stations that they need. Everything that is connected to nuclear weapons is slowly but surely poisoning this beautiful planet.
“I will never, ever give up. As long as there is a fire burning in my belly.”
Ray has always been a consistent opponent of all nuclear weapons and his clarity and openness about this does him credit. I am undecided on nuclear weapons, as I can see the argument that possession of these by the USA and Soviet Union may well have prevented us getting into a conventional war. Where I am 100% in agreement with him is that Trident is a total waste of money.
It is not a “British deterrent” as everyone knows that Britain could not fire “our” missiles unless the Americans allowed it as they control the software, guidance satellites, etc. The missiles have proved themselves to be an expensive white elephant which has led to the almost complete destruction of the Royal Navy, which we may well require in the future should any enemy attempt to block the sea lanes; which these islands depend upon absolutely.
I also agree with his view of nuclear power, the most environmentally dangerous method of power generation known to man. Why isn’t money spent now on building the Severn barrage? This has been technically feasible for decades and would produce huge amounts of electrical power.