Peace Group calls on local MPs to vote against nuclear weapons of mass destruction

Rochdale and Littleborough Peace Group

Rochdale and Littleborough Peace Group has urged local MPs, Liz McInnes and Simon Danczuk to vote against the government's plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system when the issue is debated in parliament on Monday.

On behalf of the peace group, Rae Street said: "We hope that Liz and Simon will use their power as members of parliament to promote peace and disarmament rather than to increase the threat of nuclear catastrophe in the world.

“Over the years, our local campaigning has emphasised the enormous financial cost of Trident nuclear weapons of mass destruction and the fact that these £billions would be better spent on the services we need, on the NHS, on our schools and universities, on decent social care, on housing and so much else. There are many other intrinsic reasons why it would be a grave mistake to continue with nuclear weapons.

“Pinning our security on weapons of mass destruction encourages others to do the same. Indeed, instead of protecting us, hosting nuclear weapons makes our country a target for the disaffected - and as Britain’s warheads are eight times more powerful than those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, any accident would lead to a humanitarian disaster beyond imagination.

“Having nuclear weapons also diverts resources and attention from tackling our most urgent security problems, including climate and environmental destruction.

“Spending ever more £billions on nuclear weapons will actively deplete the defences we need in the 21st century. We need to invest military spending on conflict prevention, on effectively combating terrorism and on preventing cyber-attacks. By moving-on from nuclear weapons of mass destruction, we can begin to more effectively serve the needs our country in a changing world.

“We hope that Liz and Simon will seriously consider the case against Trident and vote against the government's plans to squander ever more £billions on unnecessary and dangerous nuclear weapons."