Statement from FOR in the name of John Cooper, Director of the Fellowship:
“Throughout this review the Government has stated a wish to become a global leader, firmly meeting today’s threats to the peace and security of the UK. We believe that the announcement of an increase in our nuclear stockpile does nothing to achieve this ambition and is in reality most likely to undermine it.
As a world and as nations we face many challenges of the consequences of poverty, inequality and climate change – brought sharply into focus over the last year by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Each one undermines our societies and can lead to armed conflict and civil unrest, yet none can be solved with a nuclear weapon.
This review aimed to set policy for a stable world order in our inter-connected global society. Instead, it takes our investment and priorities back to a different era. The challenges of the present and future cannot be addressed with the weapons of the past.
We lament this move and all it represents, and pledge to speak up and out for a just and sustainable peace at every opportunity”
