Tens of thousands of protestors marched from London's Speakers' Corner to a rally at Trafalgar Square on February 27 in protest against the Conservative government's plan to renew Trident – Britain's ageing submarine-launched nuclear missile system.

People gather at Trafalgar Square in London on February 27 in protest against the Conservative government's plan to renew Britain's ageing submarine-launched nuclear missile system. [Photo by Heiko Khoo]

Parliament will vote on the issue later this year. The protest, organized by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), was Britain's largest demonstration against nuclear weapons since 1983 when Cold War tension between the Soviet Union and the United States was at its peak.

The leaders of the Scottish National Party, Labour party, and Welsh nationalist party (Plaid Cymru), students, nurses, trade unionists, veteran anti-war activists, and various religious leaders addressed the crowd.

Trident is supposed to be a deterrent protecting the country against any "enemies." The estimated cost of its renewal is over ￡100 bln, and, at a time of cuts to the welfare and health budgets, many see this as a senseless waste of money.

David Cameron's Conservative Party positions itself as the guardian of the nation and touts continued military strength. The top brass of the British armed forces are recruited mainly from elite conservative circles, and they are faithful supporters of the U.S.-led NATO alliance. The renewal of Trident would recognize the centrality of their military interests inside the political establishment and state bureaucracy.