Theresa May

• THE UN’s landmark Nuclear Ban Treaty will open to signatories across the world on Wednesday – a giant step towards a nuclear-free future.

However, while the treaty has been endorsed by 122 UN nations, none of the world’s nuclear states has participated in the process so far and it can only have serious impact if countries like Britain sign up.

Theresa May has claimed to “not believe that this treaty will bring us closer to a world without nuclear weapons”. Whether it does so is partly in her hands.

She has wilfully ignored the fact that the treaty does not require that nuclear states get rid of their nuclear weapons overnight, but that they commit to a plan and a timeline for doing so.

This is an opportunity for the UK to take the lead in nuclear disarmament. In the light of the escalating crisis between North Korea and the US, the UK can and must reconsider its position and commit to the treaty.

If Ms May were brave enough to take this step, it would send a signal worldwide that diplomacy is the solution to global tensions.

The treaty also requires countries to encourage others to join the treaty; as a signatory, the UK could push other nuclear states, including North Korea, towards disarmament from a position of principle, rather than a position of hypocrisy.

Islington Green Party urges Ms May to sign the Global Ban Treaty and help to bring about a world without nuclear weapons.

We urge Islington’s two MPs, Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry, to make clear their views on cancelling Trident and to encourage the government to support and sign up to the treaty.

CLAIRE POYNER
Islington Green Party