For many years, since the UK's incorporation of a Nuclear deterrent, many groups have strived to see it's abolishment. Recently such a decision has come to the forefront of parliamentary debate, with many numerous and vocal public and ministerial figures advocating its removal.

In an ideal, utopian world; without borders, famine or indeed religion, nuclear weapons would only be expressely required for research and possible defence against cataclysmic asteroid impacts with the Earth (think Bruce Willis in Armageddon, then get real and think that movie is far too American, but at least true in principal).

We live in a world of constantly changing threats, before Al Qaeda the biggest threat to our lives in the United Kingdom was the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

When this threat apparently evaporated at the end of the Soviet Union in 1991, many reductions in the nuclear arsenals of countries around the world had already taken place and continue to be reduced according to aggreements that have already been made, and no doubt will (quite rightly) be made in the future.

There still exists today enough nuclear arms to wipe out all life on earth, twice over, and that's being very conservative. This petition seeks to guarantee the UK's commitment to a viable and effective nuclear deterrent. Our current stock of weapons and capabilities are adequate for this task.

What is the main reason I think we should keep this deterent? I'm glad you asked...Our world is not made up of 196 United Kingdoms. It is made up of many varied, diverse social groups. Countries new and old, Democracies and Dictatorships, Christian and Muslim, Black and White, Stupid and Intelligent, and all those inbetween.

Who is to say what the future holds for us? Did any of you predict 9/11? or 7/7? With rising tensions accross the world, who is to say what will happen next? One day, possibly sooner than you imagine, most countries will have Nuclear weapons capabilites. Do you want to be the country who has nothing to deter these despicable weapons (and they are despicable, do not take my advocacy for Nuclear weapons as adoration). Could you sleep at night if, for instance, North Korea, in some unforseen future event, had nuclear tipped missiles pointed at us, and a great will to see us destroyed, knowing we had nothing that could effectively stop the missiles before they launched? Could you GUARANTEE they could be stopped with conventional weapons? Let me answer that for you: there is no guarantee, even with Nuclear weapons, but they damn well increase the odds dramatically.

And above all, they are a DETERRENT.

But why North Korea? Perhaps the next government of Syria? of Iraq? of Pakistan? Might I remind you that Pakistan has had Nuclear weapons capability for some time, yet had no idea Bin Laden was living in their country.

What could dissuade Nuclear capable countries from attacking us? Ladies and Gentlemen, keeping our Nuclear deterrent is not only wise, I will put it to you that it is, indeed, essential to future peace.