This event is exclusive to Friends of Tortoise
Despite the UK’s commitments to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), last year the Johnson government announced that Britain will to grow its nuclear capability by up to 40%, equivalent to 260 warheads, citing risks from nuclear-armed states, emerging nuclear states and state-sponsored nuclear terrorism. The argument being that a nuclear deterrent is needed to guarantee the UK’s security and that of its allies.
Opponents say that nuclear powers like the UK should use their influence to strengthen international arms control agreements and reduce – not increase – the number of nuclear weapons in existence. Do these steps by Johnson undermine the NPT?
Renewing Trident will cost an eye-watering £130billion. Is it worth it? Can we afford it? Or is it the cost of maintaining peace in an uncertain world?
editor and invited experts
Giles Whittell
Sensemaker Editor
Dr Andrew Corbett
Former Trident Captain and Author of ‘Supreme Emergency: How Britain Lives with the Bomb’
Dr Hassan Elbahtimy
Director, Centre for Science and Security Studies (CSSS)
Dr Rebecca Eleanor Johnson
Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy