Praying for Trident

outside the abbey

by New Worker correspondent

The great and the good turned up in droves last week for a bizarre Trident “national service of thanksgiving” at Westminster Abbey that recognised the “sailors’ sacrifice” in operating the American Trident nuclear missile system that Britain maintains as its so-called ‘nuclear deterrent’.

An Abbey official said the event recognised “the commitment of the Royal Navy to effective peacekeeping through the deterrent over the past 50 years and will pray for peace throughout the world”.

But as the worthies, led by Prince William, trooped in to the hallowed hall of the Church of England they were met with boos and jeers from peace campaigners who then staged a “die-in” during the service. Veteran CND leaders and supporters took part in the protest, including Bruce Kent and musician Brian Eno.