NUCLEAR weapons on the Clyde was a central issue the independence referendum and it the SNP and Greens parties want to ensure it is again at the General Election.

Both parties want them gone, removed from Scotland and the proposal to renew the Trident submarines scrapped.

Labour and Conservative leaders in Scotland say they want the UK to negotiate with the other nuclear powers in the world to reduce and remove weapons in a coordinated way.

First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, addressed a rally and demonstration in George Square to outline her commitment to removing trident.

She was joined by Green leader Patrick Harvie, trades union and CND activists to campaign against nuclear weapons.

Ms Sturgeon said: ""One of the biggest decisions that MPs will take in the next Parliament is whether to waste £100bn on renewing these morally obscene weapons.

"Broken down, that'll be around £3 billion a year, peaking at an eye-watering £4 billion in the 2020s.

"We all know that Trident is morally unjustifiable, but at a time when the Westminster parties are all committed to forcing yet more austerity on us after the election, Trident is economically indefensible.

Ms Sturgeon said the scrapping of the Trident renewal would be a "red line" issue in any talks with Labour after the election should they occur.

All four party leaders agree they want an end to nuclear weapons but Labour and the Tories disagree with the others over how and when.

Scottish Labour leader, Jim Murphy, warns against leaving the UK vulnerable in a world of future uncertainties.

He said: "I want a world free of nuclear weapons. The last Labour government cut the number of warheads more than any other country in the world.

"There are two views on this. Either you negotiate them away or you give them up. I would rather negotiate them away

"In a world where North Korea and others are trying to get nuclear weapons and India and Pakistan are facing off across the nuclear divide I would rather Britain was at the negotiating table with these other countries to get rid of them altogether at the same time."

Because the weapons and submarines are stored and based at Faslane and Coulport on the Clyde plans to remove them in an independent Scotland was a central argument for independence.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, urged people to join him and anti nuclear protesters at a protest outside the Faslane Naval Base later this month.

He told the rally: "If you've never been to Faslane where this evil is based, to blockade, then come on the 13th of April. Now is the time to join the blockade. I'll be there."

Earlier he said: "The next UK parliament is going to have to make a decision on the renewal of trident.

"Scotland has a chance to put this centre stage. People are worried that the future safety depends of the fear of annihilation. We think security is best provided by justice and fairness between and within countries not on an antiquated system of weapons of mass destruction."

While the demonstration was taking place in George Square Ruth Davidson was campaigning nearby in Sauchiehall Street.

The Scottish Conservative leader said economic issue were on voters mind more than Trident.

She said: "I am on record saying I believe in multi-lateral disarmament. Kicking it down the road doesn't make the world a safer place.

"I don't praise Tony Blair often but he started non proliferation talks with the USA and Russia which reduced the number of armaments. It brought down warhead stocks in Russia by a third.

"There is confusion about what's on the table. There is no suggestion of new warheads. This is about replacing the submarines not the warheads.

"People are taking here today about jobs and the economy."