14 March 2007
Churches denounce Trident vote
Leaders from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist
Church and the United Reformed Church have expressed deep concern
over Parliament's call to replace the Trident Nuclear Weapons
System.
Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social
Justice for the Methodist Church said; 'This seriously undermines
the UK's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and the extent of
the backbench rebellion demonstrates that many feel passionately
that the Government has got this decision wrong. The Government
promised a full public debate but instead this early vote in the
House of Commons has rushed the discussion while crucial questions
remain unanswered.'
Graham Sparkes, Head of Faith and Unity for the Baptist Union said;
'The use of nuclear weapons is unthinkable. Rather than invest a
vast amount of public money in a system that it can never be right
to use, the Government ought to be making clear commitments to
peacemaking. Trident can never provide the UK with any real
security.'
Stuart Dew, Secretary for Church and Society, the United Reformed
Church commented: 'We are deeply disappointed at the call to renew
Trident. The Government has ignored the global demand to rid the
world of nuclear weapons, claiming that it is acceptable for some
states to hold them while for others it is not. This is a
commitment to injustice over peace.'
The three Churches made a joint submission to the Defence
Committee, arguing that the Government has not fully addressed the
security risks associated with a renewal of Trident. They state
that it is vital to control the proliferation of weapons technology
and they raise concerns over the Government's claim that Trident
might provide protection against state-sponsored nuclear
terrorism.
Representatives from the Churches were present at the rally in
Parliament Square, organised by the Campaign for Nuclear
Disarmament.