A politically damaging Labour rebellion is gathering pace over the government's decision to renew Britain's nuclear weapons system.
According to a BBC survey of Labour backbenchers published yesterday, 61 out of 102 who responded planned to vote against the £20bn plans to replace the Trident system agreed by the cabinet. Only 22 of those contacted backed the government.
It is thought that at least 78 Labour MPs have voiced concern, some because they are opposed in principle to any nuclear deterrent, others because they do not believe enough time has been allowed to debate such a crucial issue.
Heralding the start of a fightback campaign by ministers, Des Browne, defence secretary, yesterday said MPs should not deprive future generations of the "deterrent effect" that nuclear weapons had provided to Britain and the west during the cold war,
Speaking on the BBC's Politics Show, Mr Browne identified Iran and North Korea as examples of countries against which new deterrents were needed in the future.
"People in our party are very good at listening to arguments . . . and I'm still confident that we will be able to persuade people to come on to our side of the argument," Mr Browne said.
Whips and other MPs loyal to the government are stepping up their lobbying campaign before Wednesday in an attempt to win over Labour dissidents
However cabinet ministers will almost certainly have to rely on the support of Conservative MPs to carry a motion supporting a new generation of nuclear submarines and the updating of the Trident D5 missiles.
There were reports over the weekend that at least one ministerial aide - Jim Devine, parliamentary private secretary to the Rosie Winterton, the health minister - was preparing to resign rather than back a Trident renewal.
By contrast Gordon Brown, the chancellor, has made clear his strong support for maintaining the UK's nuclear deterrent.
Liam Fox, shadow defence secretary, said the Tories were supporting a replacement for Trident to ensure that the UK was "prepared for all eventualities".
He told the BBC: "When the government is doing the right thing in terms of national security we think they should get the support of the opposition."
