Corbyn, Sturgeon slam UK nuke program
UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and the head of Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, have condemned Britain’s renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system.
Speaking at a central London rally, Corbyn said Saturday, "If a nuclear war took place there would be mass destruction on both sides of the conflict.”
He warned about the consequences of a possible use of nukes, saying, "Everyone should think about the humanitarian effects on people across this globe if they're ever used."
"Where peace is possible in so many places. You don't achieve peace by planning for war, grabbing resources and not respecting each other's human rights,” Corbyn added.
"Today's demonstration is an expression of many people's opinions and views. I'm here because I believe in a nuclear-free Britain and a nuclear-free future.”
Saturday’s march to the Trafalgar Square, led by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, came after the UK’s Conservatives announced plans to renew the aging Trident system.
The Ministry of Defense estimates that acquiring four new submarines for the Tridents will cost £31 billion over the course of the 20-year program.
Another £10 billion is also needed to meet any additional unexpected costs.
Also addressing the crowd, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described Trident as "immoral" and "impractical."
She said, "It is the norm in the world today to be nuclear-free. It is the exception to the rule to possess nuclear weapons, let that ring out loudly and clearly. The use of nuclear weapons would bring about human devastation and suffering on an unimaginable scale."
Now political commentator Chris Bambery says opposition to Trident firstly comes due to economic reasons as the money could be used on health and education among others.
Secondly, there is a moral case against Trident, noted Bambery, pointing to Corbyn’s reference to the Hiroshima atomic bombing by the US in 1945, where tens of thousands of people perished in a single nuclear attack.
Britain’s Trident program, due for replacement in 2020, was announced in July 1980. Since 1998, it has been the only British nuclear weapon system in service. Its stated purpose is to provide "the minimum effective nuclear deterrent as the ultimate means to deter the most extreme threat."
Those opposed to the renewal of Trident say that the changing threats of global terrorism and climate change means that Britain does not need a hugely costly renewal of nuclear deterrents.
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