John Morris, Peace Party Candidate for the Guildford Constituency was asked in November, 2019,
“Firstly: If elected, would you support cancelling the replacement of Trident?
John’s constituent elaborated as follows, “This is a matter of crucial importance not only for me – but for every citizen, as nuclear weapons have a unique destructive capacity. Nuclear weapons are also enormously expensive and have no military utility. Trident, the UK’s own nuclear weapons system, is reaching the end of its service life, and the government is committed to spending in excess of £205 billion on its replacement. At a time when we are seeing increased poverty and cuts to the public sector, I would prefer this money to be invested in the NHS, education, jobs and renewable energy.”
John answered, “Unequivocally, “Yes”, for all the reasons you give in addition to the ones relating to the abhorrence of the taking of human life for any reason when it should always be nurtured and cared for. I too would prefer the government to be spending all the money needed not only on the areas you mention but also on housing, social care, transport infrastructure and, above all, making the country secure in ways other than through threatening to go to war should conflict not be able to be resolved without violence.”
“Secondly, John was asked: If elected, would you back UK support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, abolishing all nuclear weapons internationally?”
The constituent added, “For fifty years the UK has been a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, formally supporting global nuclear disarmament, but we still possess nuclear weapons. Recently the British government has boycotted the new United Nations treaty to ban nuclear weapons, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and it has refused to sign up. This is not good enough, and I would like to know that in the new Parliament you will be working to get the new government active in support of global nuclear disarmament.”
John answered, “A second unequivocal, “Yes”. And, of course, the government should scrap all its nuclear weapons and forbid the basing of nuclear weapons on British soil. I would also be working to close down the military and cease the UK’s membership of NATO. The country cannot say it has a kind, caring and compassionate government and yet have the means to go out and kill and maim members of nations with which it cannot resolve difficulties, problems and conflicts using the methods of non-violence. (Having a military inevitably exposes a country’s citizens to death and injury). Foreign policy must be based on the “Golden Rule” – treat others as you wish to be treated yourself.”