While Cameron is away Clegg targets Trident
Nick Clegg exacerbated coalition tensions over Trident as he said the "huge, huge" £20bn cost of renewing the nuclear weapons system was hard to justify when benefits were being cut. He spoke out as he delivered a passionate defence of the Government's record on the eve of its 100th day in office, arguing it was proving to be "radical and reforming".
The Deputy Prime Minister also struck an upbeat note in his first appearance since assuming charge of the day-to-day running of the administration while David Cameron takes his summer break.
He cautioned against excessive gloom over the tough economic times ahead and insisted there was "light at the end of the tunnel" for the country.
Speaking at a town hall-style event in central London, his comments on Trident cast a fresh spotlight on one of the most contentious decisions facing the Con-Lib Dem administration.
Tory ministers Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, and George Osborne, the Chancellor, have already clashed publicly over where the money for renewing Trident would be found.
Mr Clegg reiterated his party's hostility to replacement – and chose emotive examples to argue his case.
"I think the priority within the defence budget should be absolutely to make sure that our brave troops, our brave servicemen and servicewomen, particularly now on the front line in Afghanistan, have what they need," he said.
Mr Clegg, who said he was not altering his views on Trident just because he was in office, suggested it was the "kind of technology and hardware that we acquired as a country in the past, in an era of Cold War conflict". He said Britain's role in the world was changing very fast and had to be "reflected in the kinds of things we spend money on".
copyright: If you are looking to add great shoes to your collection, our Cheap Shoes are surely the way to go.