Letter to Scottish politicians on nuclear weapons

Letter sent to all Scottish MPs and MSPs from Scotland's for Peace

November 2006

Trident Replacement

The successful Long Walk for Peace demonstrated the depth and breadth of opposition in Scotland to the replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons system. We, the undersigned, believe that in the current situation there is no justification for developing a new generation of nuclear weapons or for prolonging the life of the existing system. To do so would be a clear breach of our commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and would threaten to trigger a new global arms race.

We believe that this is a moral issue that transcends party politics and party loyalties. These are indiscriminate weapons of mass destruction aimed at civilian populations and are designed to cause terror and death. We can hardly object to other countries like North Korea and Iran pursuing a nuclear option if we insist that nuclear weapons are necessary for our security for the foreseeable future.

We, therefore, call on you as an elected representative of the people of Scotland, to take a principled moral stand against replacing or prolonging the life of Trident and to vote against such a motion in Parliament.

We ask you to complete the reply slip as soon as possible and return it to us at the address given. We intend to publish the response of all Scotland’s MPs and MSPs to make it clear to Scotland’s electorate where they stand on this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh

Rt Rev Alan McDonald, Moderator, General Assembly, Church of Scotland

Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader, Glasgow City Council

Councillor Rev Ewan Aitken, Leader, Edinburgh City Council

Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary, UNISON

Trident Replacement

We would be grateful if you could outline your views on Trident replacement on this sheet. If you would prefer to respond in the form of a letter please do so.

1. Questionnaire

I will oppose the upgrading or replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Yes o No o Not decided o

2. Statement

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Please return to Scotland’s For Peace, 15 Barrland Street, Glasgow G41 1QH.