28 November 2006
Methodist Church calls on Government to not replace Trident
The Methodist Church is repeating its call for the Government to
not replace Trident and to take a leading role in disarmament talks
under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Steve Hucklesby,
Methodist Secretary for International Affairs, said: 'A decision to
replace Trident would send an adverse signal to other states. When
the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty was made permanent in 1995 it
was on the basis that the nuclear powers would disarm. By stating
that the UK will maintain a nuclear missile system indefinitely
'just in case' we are reneging on that agreement.
'A number of states find themselves under pressure to develop
nuclear technology and signal their arrival as nuclear powers.
Keeping nuclear weapons 'just in case' undermines the NPT and will
do untold damage to non-proliferation negotiations.'
The 2006 Methodist Conference called on the Government not to
replace Trident when it reaches the end of its working life but to
take a lead in disarmament and non-proliferation negotiations.
Recent press reports suggest that six states including Egypt and
Saudi Arabia are considering developing nuclear power
technology.
'The Government acknowledges that terrorism is likely to remain a
major threat to the security of our country for some time to come.
By taking such a relaxed approach to non-proliferation our
Government is in danger of taking its eye off the ball. The more
fissile material there is around the more likely it is that it will
fall into the wrong hands and be used against us. There is a better
path to improving our national security. It requires vigorous
support for non-proliferation supported by a decision not to renew
Trident.'
In conjunction with the United Reformed Church and Baptist
Churches, the Methodist Church has encouraged its members to write
to their MPs to express their views in advance of the debate in the
House of Commons. See
the online guide.