If the UK were to forgo nuclear weapons, it would indicate that one of the original nuclear states had decided that they were no longer necessary for its security; a step towards a world ruled by law and mutual understanding.

At a recent meeting in Cairo the Council of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, which with Sir Joseph Rotblat received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work during the Cold War, made a strong recommendation: “As the UK Trident nuclear weapon system is nearing the end of its operational life, the UK Government has a unique opportunity to lead the way towards the total abolition of nuclear weapons. The Pugwash Council strongly recommends that the UK decides not to renew, renovate or replace its nuclear weapons”.

ROBERT A. HINDE
Chair, British Pugwash Group
Cambridge

Sir, Greenpeace welcomes a debate on Trident replacement (“Beckett leads Cabinet split on replacement for nuclear deterrent”, Nov 22). Your article, however, only outlines four options. There is a crucial fifth that the Government must consider: to abandon plans to replace Trident, to take Trident off patrol and to confine warheads to an internationally monitored site in the UK. If this happened, the Government could credibly lead efforts on international disarmament negotiations.

DOMINICK JENKINS
Greenpeace, Disarmament Campaigner, London N1

Sir, You report that the Foreign Secretary notes how our nuclear deterrent was “dictated in the Cold War circumstances of decades ago” and that “the security situation today across the world is very, very different”.

The global threat that filled the ideological vacuum left after communism — namely, Islamism — is one that the world’s leaders are only now beginning to realise. It is more poisonous than communism and it is precisely because of this threat that extending the life of Trident is crucial.

JOHN HAYWARD
Tonbridge, Kent

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