Don't renew Trident - letter to Julian Sturdy MP

Dear Mr Sturdy,

As I am sure you are aware there will be a debate and vote next Monday on the renewal of Trident.  It seems to me to be a particularly poor time to have the debate.  With a new leader and new secretary of state for defence there must be a need to reflect on where we are and whether a Trident replacement is an appropriate use of limited money when there are clearly other greater needs, and the UK has just voted to withdraw from influence in the world.

I am aware that you are supporter of nuclear weapons, and would under some circumstances be willing to use them.  However, with the Chilcot report just published and it comments on our ability to undertake even conventional wars it seems that it would be appropriate to consider the most cost effective ways of defending the country.  To select hugely expensive weapons (around £200 billion over their lifetime) which would mean that we had already lost if they were used seems to be a waste of money when we are told that there is a shortage of other weapons.

I am opposed to all war, but nuclear weapons are especially evil because of the huge number of people that will die if they ever used; and most of the people killed would be civilians.

I therefore urge you to vote against the renewal of Trident, or failing that, to press for a postponement of the vote so that the matter can be considered more rationally and reasonably than in the current febrile atmosphere.

Best wishes

Tom.

Tom Franklin
4 Frazer Court
York
YO30 5FH