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Don't Replace Trident

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We believe that no one has the right to use [nuclear] weapons in his defence or to ask another person to use them on his behalf. To rely on the possession of nuclear weapons as a deterrent is faithless; to use them is a sin.

Meeting for Sufferings, 1955, 24:4, Quaker faith & practice

Britain's Weapons of Mass Destruction

MPs vote to replace Trident

On 14th March 2007, MPs voted to replace Trident - Britain's nuclear weapons system.The government was forced to rely on Conservative MPs to push the bill through after a significant rebellion by backbench Labour MPs. Of the Labour MPs, 88 voted against the motion to replace and 95 voted for an amendment saying that the case for replacement "is not yet proven" and that a decision should be delayed. In addition, three ministerial aides, Jim Devine, Chris Ruane and Stephen Pound resigned in the run-up to the vote as did Nigel Griffiths, deputy leader of the House of Commons.

Despite the disappointing outcome of the vote, it is not the end of this story: it will take years to build the new submarines and the argument for doing so is rusting away as inexorably as the current fleet. In the summer of 2009, the contract to design and build the new Trident submarines was delayed until after the 2010 Reveiw Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This marks a U-turn by ministers who had previously insisted there could be no delay in the tiemtable.

The QPSW 'Don't Replace Trident' Campaign pack was originally produced to help Quakers in their consideration and action on this issue. You can still make use of the 'Don't Replace Trident!' resources, as well as take action at Faslane naval base and Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment.

QPSW resources

'Don't replace Trident' campaign pack from Quaker Peace & Social Witness

This pack provides information about Trident and the debate surrounding its future. It offers action ideas and resources for those seeking to prevent its replacement.  It is mainly designed for Quakers, but we hope it will also be of use to others.

Other resources and action

July 2011 - QPSW and other church organisations have written a submission for the independent cross-party commission to examine UK nuclear weapons policy organised by BASIC.

Information on the BASIC commission here [PDF: new window]

QPSW has made a submission to the Defence Select Committee on the future of Trident.  
The Submission sets out the moral, legal, strategic and economic arguments against replacement and would make excellent material for raising these issues with constituency MPs and local press.

Briefing on the Replacement of Trident Nuclear Weapons System - Parliamentary Liaison Secretary

Weapon for a new generation: replacing Britain's WMDs [offsite link] - Young Quaker online - under 'Current Musings'

Peace Exchange - see the Events & Action Opportunities page for campaigning ideas and events.

More Trident discussion points - for use in public discussion or when writing articles

Action at Aldermaston

Block the Builders
Block the Builders is a nonviolent blockade of the massive new building programme at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston. It involves a monthly blockade and other nonviolent direct action.

You can either take part directly in the nonviolent blockade, for which you may be arrested (briefing notes are provided on this), or play a support role on site.

For more, visit http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk/ [offsite link]

Multi-faith vigils
For the victims of terrorism and the war on terrorism multi-faith vigils are held at Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston monthly. For exact dates and more info, contact Chris Gwyntopher at chrisandgwyn@phonecoop.coop

Peace Camps
Women-only: Aldermaston Women's Peace Camp(aign): http://www.aldermaston.net/ [offsite link]

Mixed: http://www.aldermastonwatch.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ [offsite link] or call 0845 4588368

Speaking and public debate

If you would like advice or help in speaking on the issue of Trident Nuclear Submarines then please get in touch with us and we will offer advice on topic and technique.  See also our list of key points.

We are particularly keen to encourage young Quakers to speak on the issue, so if you are a Young Friend and would like to get involved, do get in touch.

Churches & Trident

Several churches, including Quakers, have worked together to produce an ecumenical briefing on Trident for all to use called 'UK nuclear weapons at a crossroads' [PDF: 326 kb opens in a new window]

Quakers & the peace movement

QPSW is working with others in the peace movement to ensure that this important issue is subject to a full and open public debate, and that the arguments in favour of disarmament and non-proliferation are heard loud and clear. 

For more information:

Contact QPSW Peace & Disarmament Programme, disarm@quaker.org.uk or 020 7663 1067.

Links to some of the organisations working on Trident replacement and related issues:

Abolition 2000: http://www.abolition2000uk.org/
Acronym Institute: http://www.acronym.org.uk/; 020 7503 8857
Aldermaston Womens Peace Camp (AWPC): http://www.aldermaston.net/; 07969 739 812
Atomic Mirror: http://www.atomicmirror.org/; 01799 516189
British American Security & Information Council (BASIC): http://www.basicint.org/; 020 7324 4680
British Pugwash Group: http://www.pugwash.org/uk/; 020 7405 6661
Block the Builders: http://www.blockthebuilders.org.uk/; 07969 739 812
Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT): http://www.caat.org.uk/; 020 7281 0297
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND): http://www.cnduk.org/; 020 7700 2393
Christian CND (CCND): www.gn.apc.org/ccnd; 020 7700 4200
Nuclear Information Service: http://www.nuclearinfo.org/; 023 8055 4434
Oxford Research Group (ORG): http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/; 01865 242819
WMD Awareness Programme: http://www.comeclean.org.uk/; 020 7405 6661
World Court Project: http://wcp.gn.apc.org/; 01323 844 269
World Disarmament Campaign: http://www.world-disarm.org.uk/; 0131 447 4004