On 22 Jan we& #39;ll have a legally binding treaty banning nuclear weapons! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎉" title="Partyknaller" aria-label="Emoji: Partyknaller">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☮️" title="Friedens-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Friedens-Zeichen">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🍾" title="Flasche mit knallendem Korken" aria-label="Emoji: Flasche mit knallendem Korken">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🥳" title="Partying face" aria-label="Emoji: Partying face">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎉" title="Partyknaller" aria-label="Emoji: Partyknaller">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🍾" title="Flasche mit knallendem Korken" aria-label="Emoji: Flasche mit knallendem Korken">

What does this mean for the UK & other nuclear armed states who spent yrs unsuccessfully trying to frustrate this process?

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⛔️" title="Nicht betreten" aria-label="Emoji: Nicht betreten">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☢️" title="Symbol für Gefahr durch Radioaktivität" aria-label="Emoji: Symbol für Gefahr durch Radioaktivität">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⛔️" title="Nicht betreten" aria-label="Emoji: Nicht betreten">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☢️" title="Symbol für Gefahr durch Radioaktivität" aria-label="Emoji: Symbol für Gefahr durch Radioaktivität">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⛔️" title="Nicht betreten" aria-label="Emoji: Nicht betreten">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☢️" title="Symbol für Gefahr durch Radioaktivität" aria-label="Emoji: Symbol für Gefahr durch Radioaktivität">
#nuclearban
The UK clearly needs to start engaging constructively with the #TPNW. It’s repeated labelling of the @nuclearban as a "divisive initiative" will *itself* deepen divisions & make it harder to reach consensus in other multilateral forums, such as the #NPT.
Sadly, rather than engaging, the UK has boycotted, protested and dismissed the process.

I& #39;ll never forget the offensive moment the UK, US and others set-up a lectern outside negotiations & protested while Hiroshima survivors & the pope prepared to speak https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/world/americas/un-nuclear-weapons-talks.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/2...
The UK’s failure to participate in the string of multilateral discussions on nuclear disarmament, inc. those mandated by the UN, is irreconcilable with its obligations under Article 6 of the #NPT which requires the UK to participate in negotiations on disarmament in “good faith”
By erroneously casting the TPNW as a threat to the NPT rather than embracing the ways it can contribute to disarmament, the UK is guilty of what it accuses TPNW supporters of doing: undermining the NPT.
The ground is moving under the UK’s feet:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎉" title="Partyknaller" aria-label="Emoji: Partyknaller">internationally there is ever increasing patchwork of states declaring their territories nuclear weapons-free zones & legally req not to assist nuclear weapons programmes
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎉" title="Partyknaller" aria-label="Emoji: Partyknaller">Across Europe, banks, pension funds sovereign wealth funds are divesting.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎉" title="Partyknaller" aria-label="Emoji: Partyknaller">Within the UK: cities, mayors & local authorities are renouncing support for the nuclear weapons industry & the handling of hazardous materials it necessitates

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎉" title="Partyknaller" aria-label="Emoji: Partyknaller"> The Scottish Gov endorses the TPNW
Pressure is closing in around the UK and it looks diplomatically isolated. A large majority of countries have made it clear they have lived in fear of nuclear fallout for too long and want action.

#UKforTPNW
In the short term the UK can engage with the TPNW by:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☎" title="Friedens-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Friedens-Zeichen">acknowledging the +ve effect it can have on the #NPT
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☎" title="Friedens-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Friedens-Zeichen">attending Meetings of States Parties
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☎" title="Friedens-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Friedens-Zeichen">voluntarily implement Article 6 on victim assistance & environmental remediation
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☎" title="Friedens-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Friedens-Zeichen">Plan for a denuclearised UK security policy
Ultimately the UK should join the #TPNW & accept that using the threat of indiscriminate murder of millions of civilians is not reconcilable with its mantra of being a "global force for good". Nukes shd have no place - legal, moral or otherwise - in UK& #39;s future national security.
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