Anti-nuclear campaigners have responded to the comments on nuclear weapons from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.
Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:
“The goal of Britain’s foreign policy must be to build a secure and peaceful future for Britain and every new government reviews the best way of working towards that goal. Given the enormous costs and risks associated with Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapons system, it’s absolutely right that it would be part of that review.
“A commitment to review Trident was part of Labour’s policy at the 2015 general election and should be part of Labour’s 2017 manifesto too. Regular review is just common sense not controversial. What is controversial is the Defence Secretary’s comments today that he is prepared to start a nuclear war with a first strike.
“Britain’s first strike policy is actually determined by NATO. It’s outrageous that our nuclear policy is set by an external body. British sovereignty needs to be re-established in the sphere of defence policy as a matter of urgency so it can be brought back within the bounds of international law.”