November 2022
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for writing to me and sharing your concerns about this very important matter.
Last year, the Government published its Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign policy. This makes clear that the UK would only consider using nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances of self-defence, including the defence of our NATO Allies.
Whilst the UK’s resolve and capability to use our nuclear arsenal, if necessary, is beyond doubt, it makes sense for the UK to remain deliberately ambiguous about precisely when, how and at what scale the use of nuclear weapons would be contemplated.
I am encouraged that UK has committed to not use, or threaten to use, nuclear weapons against any non-nuclear weapon state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons 1968. However, assurance rightly does not apply to any state in material breach of those non-proliferation obligations.
The United Kingdom takes its responsibilities as a nuclear weapon state seriously and will continue to encourage other states to do likewise. The avoidance of war between Nuclear-Weapon States and the reduction of strategic risks are the Government’s foremost responsibilities, and it will always endeavour to do everything in its power to reduce the likelihood of nuclear conflict, including resolving issues peacefully and diplomatically wherever possible.
The Government has been clear that President Putin’s comments regarding nuclear weapons are irresponsible. No other country is talking about nuclear use, and the Government does not see the conflict in Ukraine as a nuclear crisis. Putin's nuclear sabre-rattling is designed to distract us from our efforts in Ukraine, and it will not work.
Any use of nuclear weapons would break the taboo on nuclear use that has held since 1945 and would, of course, lead to severe consequences for Russia. I can assure you that this has been conveyed to the Russian regime in no uncertain terms, as has our demand that Putin steps back from this dangerous nuclear rhetoric.
I share the Government’s firm belief that the best way to achieve our collective goal of a world without nuclear weapons is through gradual multilateral disarmament negotiated using a step-by-step approach, under the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.
With best wishes.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Lord MP
Member of Parliament for Woking