Caroline will speak at the Stop Trident demonstration in Central London tomorrow. Lucas, whose party has a longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons, will challenge other anti-Trident politicians to give a firm commitment to ridding this country of nuclear weapons. Lucas’ demand comes as the Labour party faces internal battles over Britain’s nuclear arsenal.

She is expected to say:

“Not only do we not need this outrageously expensive cold war relic but we also know that this weapons systems increases the risks to our safety and security. This is no time for half measures. Any suggestion of downgrading our arsenal but keeping the ability to launch weapons of mass destruction simply isn’t good enough if we’re serious about our commitments to non-proliferation . What we now need is a firm commitment from all anti-Trident politicians to a Britain completely free from the ability to launch nuclear weapons.”

Lucas will be joined on the stage at the rally by Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland; Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru and Jeremy Corbyn’s – the Labour Party’s leader. The demonstration is expected to be the largest anti-nuclear protest in a generation.

Lucas’ speech follows a co-written piece in the Guardian from Nicola Sturgeon, Leanne Wood and the Green MP. In the comment piece they said:

“Replacing Trident is neither necessary nor sensible. The evidence is stacked against spending billions of pounds on these exceptionally dangerous weapons. They won’t make us safer. The Westminster parliament will soon choose whether to join the vast majority of nuclear-free nations by moving on from Trident. It would be bold for Britain to ditch this weapons system, but it would be the right thing to do."

ENDS

Caroline Lucas is available for interview on Saturday from the march after 2pm or down the line from Harrogate in the morning (where she is attending Green Party Conference)

Contact: Matthew Butcher on 07885 459 904 or clucasmedia@parliament.uk