Reading the initial news chatter suggesting Des Browne is to be replaced at the Ministry of Defence with John Hutton, I am filled with dismay. Des Browne is famous within our arms control community for the speech he gave at the Conference on Disarmament earlier this year and referenced earlier in this blog, at which he proposed a technical disarmament conference of the P5. As a defense secretary Des has been uniquely sympathetic to the more holistic, global perspective, whilst also winning the support of the military (when initially they were suspicious).
UK Nuclear Weapons Policy and Diplomacy
Top UK group backs nuclear disarmament
Senior politicians and former generals call for a wider nuclear debate
Senior UK politicians and former generals have set up a group to push for multilateral nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the group\’s convener announced in Washington today.
The cross-party group is made up of almost all of the former senior ministers of foreign affairs and defence over the last two decades and includes three former defence chiefs who served during that time.
UK briefers suggest delay to Trident replacement
At an informal briefing today, journalists were informed by senior government officials that the \’Initial Gate\’ decision involving the replacement of Trident, the United Kingdom\’s nuclear weapons system, will be delayed until after the NPT Review Conference next year. Paul Ingram, Executive Director of BASIC commented:
Majority of UK voters now against Trident replacement
I have no doubt that the latest opinion poll published this evening by the Guardian reflects the significant media coverage that Trident replacement has seen recently, as well as the cracking of the ranks at the very top of all three principal parties around replacement. This is very encouraging for those looking for public interest in the recent discussions over moves towards a world free of nuclear weapons:
US General says UK to get rid of Trident
The statement from Gen Jack Sheehan that the UK government is about to give up its nuclear deterrent took some by surprise over here in London when it was broadcast as part of Gordon Corera's fascinating report on BBC's prime-time World Tonight radio programme. No one has seriously suggested this likelihood beyond some vague hope, not anytime in the very near future at any rate. There is too much political baggage here for the Labour Party for logical consideration. What would a US General know about UK government intentions?
British Generals speak out against the UK deterrent
In a letter published in today's London Times, three generals (Field Marshal Lord Bramall, General Lord Ramsbotham and General Sir Hugh Beach) spoke out strongly against the replacement of Trident, urging the government instead to properly resource conventional capabilities.
Shared destinies: Security in a globalized world
IPPR held the launch of its interim report of the Commission on National Security in the 21st Century. The theme of nuclear proliferation was mentioned several times throughout the meeting but was never properly explored. The meeting was led by the two co-Chairs of the Commission, George Robertson and Paddy Ashdown.
The real cost behind Trident replacement and the carriers
The lifetime costs – £5bn, or 40% of the defense equipment budget – is unjustifiable at a time of tightening public budgets