Letter to The Guardian 3^rd August 2007

Neil Gerrard was one of the signatories to a letter to the Guardian about the announcement that communication bases in the UK would be used for US missile defence systems. The text of the letter and full list of signatories is:

MPs must debate US missile defence

We are greatly concerned by the government's announcement that the communication base at Menwith Hill is to be used for US missile defence, alongside the Fylingdales radar, both in Yorkshire (Britain insists on joint role at 'son of Star Wars' base, August 2). The continued and increasing involvement in US missile defence potentially puts the UK on the frontline in future wars. It has already contributed towards increased tensions with Russia. US missile defence is provocative, allowing the US to launch first-strike attacks without fear of retaliation, and increases the likelihood of a new nuclear arms race. We therefore believe that any UK support for the programme should be fully debated and agreed by parliament, rather than by ministerial announcement.

Colin Burgon MP, Martin Caton MP, Mick Clapham MP, Frank Cook MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Jim Devine MP, Paul Flynn MP, Neil Gerrard MP, Ian Gibson MP, Fabian Hamilton MP, Mike Hancock MP, Nick Harvey MP, Brian Iddon MP, Lynne Jones MP, Peter Kilfoyle MP, John Leech MP, Michael Meacher MP, John McDonnell MP, Linda Riordan MP, Angus Robertson MP, Clare Short MP, Jon Trickett MP, Phil Willis MP

August 2007

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