Nuclear Weapons – EDM 1776 Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding Nuclear Weapons and EDM 1667.

As a rule, I do not support Early Day Motions as they often do not get debated and have no legislative effect.

Whilst I of course hope that we never need to use them I will be supporting the latest decision to lift the cap on our nuclear stockpile as we face evolving security threats.

I do not believe this is going to lead to a new nuclear arms race and I would add that even when lifting the cap we will stay 5th in the world in terms of nuclear stockpiles behind Russia, USA, China and France.

The risk of nuclear conflict remains remote, but the threats the UK faces are increasing in scale, diversity and complexity. That is why we must be able to deter the most extreme acts of aggression against us and our NATO Allies.

The UK has taken a consistent and leading approach on nuclear disarmament but not all states have followed. Some are significantly increasing and diversifying their nuclear capabilities. We must ensure they can never use their nuclear weapons to threaten us, constrain our decision making, or sponsor nuclear terrorism.

It may sometimes feel that these threats are far removed from our daily lives, but the UK must have the capability to protect itself and our NATO Allies. Deterrence plays a key role in keeping the public safe, and to abandon our nuclear deterrent would put us all at greater risk.

You can see full details of the integrated review on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-britain-in-a-competitive-age-the-integrated-review-of-security-defence-development-and-foreign-policy

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk