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Danny Lawson/PA Wire
World News

Christian MP: churches wrong to oppose Trident

David Burrowes (pictured) is a Christian and the Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate was one of 472 MPs who voted in favour of renewing Britain's nuclear-armed submarines yesterday.

117 voted against the motion including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and one Conservative MP: Crispin Blunt.

The cost of renewing Trident is currently set at £31bn however it's possible the cost could rise further.

Mr Burrowes told Premier's News Hour it is vital to maintain Trident.

Photo: Wikimedia

He said: "Sadly we can't, I'd say with some certainty say that there'd be a nuclear free world.

"It's a world where we need to ensure we continue to have the ultimate guarantee, which in many ways with regret, but with clear necessity means we need to renew our nuclear deterrent."

The facts:
:: The Trident system consists of three elements - submarines, missiles and warheads
:: Britain currently has four Vanguard submarines capable of storing and firing nuclear missiles
:: One of the four is always at sea and armed for attack, one is always undergoing maintenance, and the other two are kept in port or used for training
:: The submarines can carry a maximum of eight missiles and a total of 40 warheads
:: The UK has a stockpile of 120 nuclear warheads that are operationally available. This is down from 160 in 2010

"This is an issue of profound importance that we can't simply duck on the basis of some idealised view of the world.

"The world we are living in has nuclear war-fare.

"We'd like a world without war, which we're looking forward to when Jesus comes again, but for now we need be to hard-headed and realistic and practical."

Danny Lawson/PA Wire

When Prime Minister Theresa May, who's a Christian, was asked whether she would push the button to use Britain's nuclear weapons, she replied: "Yes." 

She also told MPs it would be "grossly irresponsible" not to back Trident.

Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Steve Hucklesby is from the Joint Public Issues Team which represents the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church, Baptist Union and the Church of Scotland.

He told Premier's News Hour Christians should not support the holding of these weapons.

He said: "Churches and Christians believe in the dignity of every human life, for example Jesus' instructions to us; love our neighbour as ourselves.

"I don't believe that you can really credibly use the threat of weapons of mass destruction and reconcile that with a Gospel of love."

"There are more ways of achieving influence in the world than threatening people with nuclear weapons.

"There's incredible influence that we can exercise through conventional weapons, and there are much better ways of spending £41 billion on our forces."

PA Wire

Steve Hucklesby urged Christians to tell politicians how they feel.

He said: "The decision that is taken today will not be the end of the story.

"I think this will also be part of the general election campaign, and we need to let our MPs know where we stand."

Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speak to David Burrowes here:

Listen to Premier's Aaron James speak to Steven Hucklesby here:

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