New MPs join lobby against UK's replacement of Trident
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, June 2, IRNA -- A number of newly-elected MPs from different parties were handing in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron Wednesday calling for action by his coalition government on nuclear disarmament.
The letter, produced in response to the NPT review conference, is an early show of opposition among the intake of 232 new MPs to controversial multi-billion plans to replace the country’s Trident nuclear missile system.
Signatures include Liberal Democrat Julian Huppert, the Scottish National Party's Eilidh Whiteford, Labour MP John Cryer and the Green Party's Caroline Lucas.
The letter, initiated by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), asks ministers to outline how progress will be reached on the objectives of the conference agreement.
It includes questions on when and by how much the UK government will further reduce its nuclear warhead stockpile and how it will reduce the circumstances in which nuclear weapons may be used.
CND chair Kate Hudson has accused the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government of behaving inconsistently by going along with the non-proliferation agreement while planning to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system.
“A good first step is to include Trident in the Strategic Defence Review, with the option of No Trident Replacement firmly on the table,” Hudson said.
She said the support from newly-elected MPs is a “reflection of the strong demand for action from the new government on nuclear disarmament.”
Trident is opposed by a wide range of churches, faith groups, NGOs and trades unions, while others, including military leaders have questioned whether Britain can afford the cost.
The Lib Dems are also facing criticism for changing its opposition to nuclear weapons as part of its agreement to join the new coalition government.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 1153975
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