Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie is standing at odds with the Scottish Labour Party - and Scottish Parliament - by supporting Trident.

The party conference voted for scrapping of the nuclear weapons system based at HMNB Clyde at Faslane and RNAD Coulport when it comes up for renewal next year and the creation of a jobs diversification scheme to secure new work for the 6,500 base employees.

Yesterday, the Scottish Parliament voted overwhelmingly - by 96 to 17 - against renewing Trident of £167bn and Ms Baillie was the sole Labour MSP to vote in favour of renewal.

The historic swing by Scottish Labour against renewal aligns it with the SNP which means the UK is split on the future of the nuclear weapons system as the Tory government in Westminster favours renewal - and is in charge of defence, which has not been devolved to Holyrood.

Tuesday’s vote also means UK leader Jeremy Corbyn and Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale both now have a different view on the controversial issue to their party members.

A vote is expected in Westminster next year on renewing the weapons and Ms Baillie said she believes renewal will be voted through.

She told the Reporter: “I am disappointed with the decision taken at Scottish Labour conference. I argued strongly in support of the base and the thousands of jobs it provides for local people, as I have always done, and I will not be changing my position.

“I will put my constituents ahead of my party, and reality ahead of rhetoric. Local communities and the workers at Faslane need jobs not gestures and they will continue to have my full support. I am prepared to vote against both the SNP and Scottish Labour positions in the Scottish Parliament if that is what it takes to support my constituents.

Ms Baillie told the Advertiser: “I am disappointed with the decision taken at Scottish Labour conference. I argued strongly in support of the base and the thousands of jobs it provides for local people, as I have always done, and I will not be changing my position.

“I will put my constituents ahead of my party, and reality ahead of rhetoric. Local communities and the workers at Faslane need jobs not gestures and they will continue to have my full support.

“I voted against the SNP, Scottish Labour and Conservative positions in the Scottish Parliament as their focus did not deal with the challenge of jobs and the local economy.

“The UK Labour Party position is to oppose unilateral disarmament and that remains the position today. I am confident that Trident renewal will be supported by a majority of MPs in the House of Commons next year.” See next week's Reporter for an in-depth report on this issue.