Motion on a Nuclear Deterrent

This House Recognizes that

(1) Global tensions are currently high due to several aggressive actions in Europe and across the globe.

(2) The United Kingdom has maintained a nuclear deterrent in some form since the Cold War.

(3) The deterrent has helped to prevent aggressive nuclear weapons use.

(4) Nations like Russia have made statements which allude to an aggressive use of nuclear weapons over the course of the war in Ukraine.

This House further notes that

(1) Trident is currently a system that is approaching the end of its shelf life.

(2) Trident, while still an adequate deterrent, may eventually need to give way to a more adequate deterrent.

Therefore, this House calls on the Government to

(1) Unless a treaty of total global disarmament is signed, maintain a nuclear deterrent.

(2) That aforementioned deterrent should:

(a) Be ready to launch within 5 minutes of a nuclear detection.

(b) Be certain to function in the event of a needed launch.

(c) Be immune to single points of failure and targeted strikes.

(d) Be difficult to track by other nations’ military forces.

(3) Provide adequate funds to maintain an adequate deterrent.

This motion was written by /u/phonexia2 on behalf of the Liberal Democrats

Deputy Speaker

The nuclear deterrent has been a subject of debate for the past few terms, with several parties promising to scrap the Trident program, and others wanting to upgrade the program as it ages. Now on the latter point, we would discover the true capability and need for upgrades if the promised defense review was actually conducted by the Secretary, but for now, I think we need a statement of concrete policy action.

With nations like Russia and China growing aggressive, it is important for our national security and sovereignty as a nation to maintain a nuclear deterrent provided there is an absence of a total disarmament treaty. In the current climate, it is irresponsible and dangerous to let us fall behind and leave us without a deterrent of our own.

There are those in this chamber who will stand up here and say let the Americans handle it. We can let another power handle our defence for us. What those may forget is that it is tantamount to surrendering our sovereignty to the power across the Atlantic, a power whose commitment to Europe is waning. The American position can flip at a moment’s notice, and the most secure deterrent against a first strike on these Isles is a British deterrent. It is a deterrent that we can control, and it is one we already have.

This division will end on 20th November at 10pm GMT.