Green Euro MP Jean Lambert warned today as she prepared to join MPs, MEPs and councillors at the blockade of the Faslane base of Britain’s Nuclear weapons on Monday (8th January 2007).
The blockade is part of Faslane 365, a continuous year long peaceful demonstration, drawing attention to the dangerous insecurity of Britain’s nuclear weapons of mass destruction calling for them to be disarmed.
London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert, who has continued to campaign against nuclear weapons for years, today said that the Government’s plan to spend at least £25 billion on renewing the nuclear weapons system demonstrated a lack of concern for the immediate problems the world faces today.
Jean commented; "Trident, and the continued debate over nuclear weapons, is a total diversion from the world’s real security needs: tackling climate change, widespread illness or disease and access to clean water.
"The UK Government can not claim that they want to protect the planet and then make preparations to blow it up at the same time.
"How can the UK warn other countries against nuclear weapons whilst we continue on this path of destruction ourselves. On grounds of legality, diplomacy and politics, such double standards are not acceptable."The legality, morality and cost of keeping nuclear weapons in the UK is unjustified and Greens simply can not support the replacement of Trident. A future of nuclear warheads, with the ability to deliver around 8 times the destructive power of the Hiroshima bomb, is not one that offer us real security. If Tony Blair truly wants to lead the way to a positive future he must end Trident today."
ENDS
For more information please contact:Morwenna Holland, Media Officertel: 020 7407 6280 or 07813149812 email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Notes to editors: Jean Lambert: In October 2005 Jean was named MEP 2005 for Justice and Human Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections. She was re-elected in 2004. She is one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament.
Jean will be joined in Faslane on Monday 8th January by colleagues Green MEP Caroline Lucas (UK, South East) and Plaid’s Jill Evans MEP as well as Westminster MPs, members of the Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament and local authorities across the UK.
Faslane 365: Further details can be found at www.faslane365.org