Reactions to the increase in nuclear warheads

Posted: 24th March 2021

Letter: Serhii Plokhy’s article (Boris Johnson is playing a dangerous
nuclear game, 19 March) explains why this could not be a worse time for the
government to raise the cap on nuclear warheads. Musicians for Peace and
Disarmament (MPD) has been campaigning for a nuclear-free world since 1983.
Although progress towards this end has been painfully slow, little did we
expect such a sudden and profound setback as the recent announcement. This
reckless decision threatens to destabilise the already fragile world order,
and instead of using precious funds for positive purposes, it squanders
them on weapons of mass destruction that can never be used, are illegal,
and are inherently immoral. Society will need rebuilding after the
destructive effects of the pandemic; millions of people around the world
are in desperate need of help after years of conflict in their countries,
yet foreign aid has been cut; and the climate emergency, now almost at the
point of no return, must be made a matter of absolute priority. Along with
countless other people who have expressed their dismay, MPD strongly urges
the prime minister and his government to show political wisdom and moral
leadership by withdrawing this plan.

Guardian 23rd March 2021

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/23/boris-johnson-should-withdraw-this-reckless-nuclear-weapons-plan

Boris Johnson’s Toxic Domestic Posturing Over Nuclear Weapons Is
Threatening Britain’s Global Leadership Status.

Byline Times 23rd March 2021

https://bylinetimes.com/2021/03/23/boris-johnson-toxic-domestic-posturing-is-threatening-britains-global-leadership-status/

The UK would open a “Pandora’s box” if it were to consider using its
nuclear arsenal against non-nuclear countries possessing equivalent weapons
of mass destruction, a former defence secretary has warned. Raising his
concerns at Westminster, Labour peer Lord Reid of Cardowan argued against
any shift in the potential deployment of the UK’s submarine-based
deterrent. He made his comments this evening following the Government
publishing details of its major review of foreign and defence policy, known
as the Integrated Review.

City AM 23rd March 2021

https://www.cityam.com/government-warned-over-opening-pandoras-box-on-uk-nuclear-deterrent/

The decision by the UK government to increase its nuclear arsenal is not
just a matter of concern for British citizens. It is a threat to the entire
global community, risking a new nuclear arms race and increasing the
possibility of nuclear war. States and politicians across the world have
expressed their opposition – as have peace movements and campaigners, who
have sent protests to the British government.

CND 23rd March 2021

https://cnduk.org/international-outrage-at-nuclear-arsenal-increase/