Quakers reject Trident Commission recommendations
Quakers in Britain strongly disagree with the conclusion of a report that says the UK should retain its nuclear deterrent
Quakers in Britain strongly disagree with the conclusion of a report published this week that says the UK should retain its nuclear deterrent.
The report by the independent cross-party Trident Commission, set up by the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), states that there is no credible alternative to Trident.
Quakers in Britain strongly disagree with the conclusion that Trident is necessary and urge the Commission to rethink its recommendations.
Helen Drewery, general secretary of Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW), welcomed debate on the subject and said: ‘The Trident Commission has failed to properly consider alternatives to Trident. These are weapons of mass destruction which can never be used and have proved to be a poor deterrent against acts of terror or against recent political events. Trident is a relic of the cold war.’
She added: ‘In 1955 Quakers said “To rely on the possession of nuclear weapons as a deterrent is faithless; to use them is a sin”. Quakers in Britain hold fast to that statement. We reject the notion that war is inevitable and advocate putting resources into nonviolent ways of solving conflict. Genuine security comes from the recognition of the inherent worth of every person in a society free from the threat of violence.’
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