Demand an inquiry into the Trident misfire

A Trident missile (picture
'borrowed' from Greenpeace)

News continues to emerge about the Trident Missile crisis, with a missile self-destructing after going drastically off course and heading towards the United States. The misfire took place just weeks before the parliamentary debate and vote on government plans to replace the Trident nuclear weapons system; knowledge of this malfunction may have affected the vote.

MPs questioned Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in parliament, but he failed to answer a single question, choosing instead to continue the cover-up. At the same time the US administration was briefing CNN with details of the misfire.

The decision not to make details of the test public is in contrast to other tests, where dignitaries have been invited to observe and video footage has been released. Government embarrassment, not national security, is therefore clearly the reason for the cover-up.

Now May has been forced top acknowledge the misfire, but simply declares that she has "faith" in our nuclear weapons. This is not good enough.

Caroline Lucas MP has tabled an Early Day Motion calling for an inquiry. You can ask your MP to sign EDM 877 on the Trident missile test - click here.

Petition to demand on-line voting in industrial action ballots

MPs could be voting on an important amendment to the Trade Union Bill in just a matter of days. They will be deciding whether to allow trade unions to use on-line voting for industrial actions, which is currently banned. The government is acting like it has a huge majority, but in reality its majority is only 12, which means there's a good chance we can make sure this important change to the bill is approved.

On-line voting is a sensible reform to existing trade union law. It would make it easier, cheaper and probably increase turnout in union ballots, making votes more democratic and increase their legitimacy: no wonder the government wants to stop it.

Cameron’s government is handing big business and dodgy employers a golden opportunity to weaken our rights at work and treat workers unfairly. But if we can force the government to accept the Lords amendment on on-line voting, we can help our unions fight back.

Send a message to your MP here.

Work and Pensions Committee inquiry on "intergenerational fairness"

The Work and Pensions Committee launches a major new inquiry on "intergenerational fairness" – the question of whether the current generation of people in or approaching retirement will over the course of their lifetimes have enjoyed and accumulated much more housing and financial wealth, public service usage, and welfare and pension entitlements than more recent generations can hope to receive.

More details from the Parliament website.