Nuclear War More Likely According to Doomsday Clock

Anti-nuclear campaigners have responded to the announcement made by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists that the Doomsday Clock has moved 30 seconds closer to midnight, with 2 minutes to go.

Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:

"The Doomsday Clock moves dangerously closer to midnight. Scientists have assessed political and military developments in the past year and determined that the twin threats of nuclear war and climate change are more likely to lead to disaster than they were last year. We agree with this assessment.

"In the last year, nuclear brinkmanship between the US and North Korea has terrified millions of people across the world. The development of North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, along with a US president who threatened to 'totally destroy' Pyongyang using nuclear weapons, presents enormous challenges to the global majority that seeks peace and co-operation.

"The Doomsday Clock announcement highlights the breakdown of bilateral nuclear agreements between Russia and the United States, the potential for a new nuclear arms race, as well as the undermining of the Iran nuclear deal - in particular the attempt to block certification by the US President.

"The statement welcomes the new UN nuclear ban treaty, but it points out that it so far hasn't lead to action by the nuclear states. That is why we believe that the role of civil society is so important. As citizens of a nuclear state, we must pressure our government to participate in this groundbreaking treaty to abolish nuclear weapons. Not doing so means Britain turning its back on the world and doing nothing to stop the quick slide to nuclear war that we are witnessing."