18 November 2008 - Kent’s Green Euro-MP has labelled the Government’s continued support for the costly renewal of the UK’s nuclear weapons system as "illegal and immoral" at a 50th anniversary event for Kent CND.

Speaking at the CND meeting at the Friends’ Meeting Place in Canterbury, Dr Caroline Lucas MEP paid tribute to the Kent campaigners fighting the renewal of the Trident nuclear programme and called for global vigilance to prevent a new nuclear arms race.

Dr Lucas said: "As the Kent branch of CND celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is more important than ever that we continue to demand a world free of nuclear weapons. Recent reports have suggested that there are now more than 25,000 nuclear weapons in the world, with enough fissile material to create 250,000 bombs.

"At a time when the global economy is in turmoil, and the real security threats that we face are complex and unpredictable, the UK government soldiers on regardless in support of the controversial renewal of Trident, despite fears that it will increase the danger of nuclear proliferation and thus spark a new arms race.

"Not only are nuclear weapons now utterly irrelevant – the cost of updating them is outrageous and obscene. It has been estimated that when the annual costs of maintaining a replacement for Trident throughout its life are considered, we’re looking at a bill of around £76 billion.

"That money is desperately needed to support our real security; for energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy, making us more secure by reducing the impacts of climate change, and by ending our dependence on foreign oil."

She concluded by supporting calls for a new UN Nuclear Weapons Convention, designed to rid the world of all nuclear weapons, which is gathering momentum among a growing number of experts and policy-makers.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

A photograph of the event is available on request from Melissa Freeman on 0207 407 9935 / 07950 382149 or carolinepress@greenmeps.org.uk