Londoners hold anti-nuclear rally
People in Britain have held a large protest against the renewal of the country’s nuclear weapons.
The protest in London was set to be attended by political heavyweights including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. The leaders were expected to give speech during the rally.
The demonstration is organized by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). It has already drawn the support of peace activists, academics, students, celebrities and others. The Stop Trident anti-nuclear rally has also secured the backing of the National Union of Students (NUS), which passed a motion to support it this week.
The protest came as the British Conservative government is pushing ahead with a nearly forty five-billion-dollar project to build a new generation of Trident nuclear missile submarines.
Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative government says the system is vital to safeguard Britain's security. "Disarming now would be a reckless gamble with our national security that would play into the hands of our enemies," Defence Minister Philip Dunne said.
Britain currently has four submarines in its Trident fleet, at least one of which is on patrol somewhere in the oceans 24 hours a day, AFP reported.
The anti-nuclear campaigners say the project is a waste of money and urge the government to invest the money in more vital sectors like education.
Leaders of some trade unions have said the abolition of Trident would cost tens of thousands of jobs. Criticizing Corbyn’s anti-nuclear stance, Gary Smith, a leading official with the GMB Union said the debate should focus on the predicament of workers.
In reaction, CND has refuted 'ridiculous' suggestions that Corbyn should distance himself from the group.
“A great deal of money is being spent in the nuclear renewal and this is worrisome,”
Alan Hart a London-based analyst says there are serious questions about the rationality of spending the money in nuclear sector as the country is grappling with huge economic problems in various sectors which are of great importance for the ordinary people.
The British author and former BBC Panorama presenter went on saying that a hefty money is being spent in the nuclear renewal and this is worrisome for people.
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