“This makes us a target”: Green Party co-leader compares nuclear weapons argument to this…

June 9, 2024, 2:25 p.m.

Carla Denyer compared the argument for nuclear deterrence to that of those who carry knives.

Speaking on LBC with Lewis Goodall on Sunday, Ms Denyer said having nuclear weapons made the UK “a target”.

When asked whether it was appropriate to phase out the nuclear deterrent when Russia threatens NATO states, she replied: “The argument for nuclear weapons only as a deterrent reminds me strongly the argument that tragically we sometimes hear young people explaining why they carry a nuclear weapon. knife.

She added that people who carry knives “say they do it to protect themselves and they sincerely believe that, but the fact is that those who carry knives are more likely to be infected, to be stabbed, sometimes by their own knife.

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Lewis stressed that the UK is unlikely to embark on a nuclear strategy itself, questioning the similarities between the two arguments.

Ms. Denyer replied: “No, but it makes us a target.”

The Green Party opposes the UK having nuclear weapons, a policy which sets it apart from other major parties.

They believe in a “no first use policy” to curb what they see as NATO's desire to “push the nuclear button first.”

However, Ms Denyer said her party would keep the UK in NATO – all it would take was to insist that changes be made.

Defense spending has become a major focus of the general election campaign.

The Conservatives hoped to use their defense record to position themselves as a safer choice than Labor, promising to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.

However, this argument is in jeopardy as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces heavy criticism for prematurely abandoning the D-Day events in France.

During a campaign visit to Essex, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Obviously he has questions he needs to answer regarding what happened on D-Day and at the moment he doesn't seem want to answer it.”

The Labor leader added: “I know what I stand for, I know why I was there on Thursday, I paid my respects and I thanked you.”