7 February 2006: for immediate release
Following Tony Blair’s comments in the House of Commons Liaison Committee today, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has called on Tony Blair to commit to the deciding vote on whether or not to replace the Trident nuclear weapons system being taken by Parliament. Blair has promised the “fullest possible” debate, but refused to agree to a Parliamentary vote on the issue.
Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said, “It is vital that the government allows MPs to engage in a full debate and then vote on whether or not to replace the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons system, a decision which will cost British taxpayers approximately £25 billion up front and billions of pounds annually for decades to come.”
She continued, “The decision on previous nuclear weapons systems were made without any Parliamentary discussion. We must not allow this to happen again because the issue is such a crucial one for Britain’s future. There must be a full debate and Parliamentary vote.”
The UK has been a principal actor in the recent negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. Ms Hudson pointed out, “If the UK decides to renew Trident, it will lose any remaining credibility in future nuclear negotiations, as Trident replacement would be a direct breach of Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which calls for Britain to engage in negotiations to fully disarm at an early date.”
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Notes to Editor:
1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND’s Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.