The Conservative chair of the powerful Commons defence committee has urged David Cameron not to delay the crunch Commons vote on Trident just to prolong Labour’s agony on the issue.
Dr Julian Lewis urged the Prime Minister to be “statesmanlike” and call the vote as soon as possible.
His intervention came as Mr Cameron ridiculed Labour’s position on the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
Earlier this week shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry compared the ageing nuclear weapons system on the Clyde to Second World War Spitfires.
Labour sources insist it was part of a wider discussion on the effect of technology on defence equipment.
But Mr Cameron told MPs it "takes quite a talent to insult Spitfire pilots and our brave submariners all in one go".
The Prime Minister added: "Another week, another completely ludicrous Labour position on defence.”
He said that the “last word” should go to Labour MP Madeleine Moon, who after a briefing on Labour’s defence review by Ms Thornberry earlier this week tweeted: “Oh dear, oh dear, oh my god, oh dear, oh dear, need to go to rest in a darkened room.”
"I expect she'll find the rest of her party will be there with her," Mr Cameron said.
Dr Lewis told the Prime Minister that it "must be tempting" given the explosive row currently erupting within Labour to "put off the vote until Labour's conference in October".
He added: "May I urge him, however, to do the statesmanlike thing and hold that vote as soon as possible because everyone is ready for it and everyone is expecting it," he said.
His views were leter echoed by the Labour peer and former head of the Navy Lord West of Spithead, who said that "I know it is fun to watch Labour wriggling in anguish ... but actually this is too important to score party political votes"
Mr Cameron told MPs that the vote would take place "when we need to have the vote".
Senior Tory sources have previously said that they want to "maximise" the Labour's political pain over Trident.
One said: "Clearly, one consideration is the impact on Labour and what can give us maximum impact."
Others have insisted that the decision is being led by military considerations and that political issues are "peripheral".
The Conservative Government is committed to pressing ahead with a like-for-like replacement for Trident.
But Labour believes that ministers will not ask MPs for permission to push ahead with the successor programme.
Instead, the party warns that Mr Cameron will press a vote on the principle of the deterrent, designed to embarrass Labour .
Ms Thornberry hinted earlier this week that, under those circumstances, Labour MPs could abstain.
Many within her party believe that it does not matter what their party do as the Tories have a working majority of 16 in the Commons.
In the Lords Earl Howe, the defence minister, did not dispel that claim telling peers it was "right and proper" to give MPs a vote on the "principle".
He also hit out at Ms Thornberry's claim that drones could soon be able to detect underwater nuclear submarines.
He said: " the deterrent remains safe and secure and will be in the future".
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