TONY THE TORY'S TRIDENT:

Blair rescued by Tories in nuclear rebellion (George Jones and Toby Helm, 3/15/07, Daily Telegraph)

Tory support ensured Tony Blair's survival in the biggest domestic Labour rebellion of his premiership last night over updating the Trident nuclear weapons system.

An attempt to delay a decision - backed by Labour rebels and the Liberal Democrats - was defeated by 413 votes to 167, a Government majority of 246.

A second vote authorising work to start on a £20 billion plan for a new generation of submarines to carry the nuclear missiles was approved by 409 votes to 161, a majority of 248.

More than 90 Labour MPs defied the Government at the end of an impassioned six-hour debate as noisy protesters brought traffic to a halt in Parliament Square.

Without the Tory votes the Government would not have had a majority and Mr Blair's reliance on them was a blow to his authority in the last months of his period in office.