Finally the election is upon us. The challenge, as ever, is to ensure that the crucial issue of nuclear weapons is part of the debates that shape how people vote on December 12th.

Just the cost of Trident and its replacement – at least £205 billion of public money – merit its inclusion in key economic discussions. The fact that nuclear weapons make us a target and fail to contribute to our security in any way whatsoever should mean that parties are falling over themselves to promote new security visions that can address the real threats that we face.

The top priority surely has to be addressing the climate emergency, not wasting vast amounts on a cold war weapons system that will be rendered obsolete by new technological developments, even before it hits the water. But we still see a reluctance to address the new reality facing this country – and all countries. We face extinction through both climate change and nuclear weapons. Can we please have a government that recognizes and addresses these!?

No potential major party of government in the Westminster parliament is opposed to nuclear weapons. In the run up to the election we must step up our work to ensure that all candidates are aware that their views on nuclear weapons count and may affect voter choices. Once the new parliament is convened, all MPs must be aware of the majority opposition to Trident replacement and the enormous support for the UK signing up to the UN’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

For those who are members of parties that support Trident, the work must be stepped up within those parties to achieve a change in policy. There can be no fundamental positive change in British society while we squander public resources that could go into health, education and dealing with climate change. Or while we measure our standing in the world on the basis of our ability to inflict nuclear annihilation. Party values and policies must reflect the deep respect for humanity and all forms of life – which the overwhelming majority crave.

So business as usual cannot be an option. In spite of the media saturation with other matters, we must get our issues out there. Please work with us to lobby all parliamentary candidates – use our online lobbying tool to find out their views and let them be in no doubt: Trident has to go.