Bedford’s Green Councillors are shocked to hear the council heralding the arrival in Bedford of a new business which provides ‘expertise in nuclear weapons research and development.’
A council press release enthusiastically reported a visit by the mayor to US-owned multinational firm Leidos at Bedford’s Link Park.
The press release mentioned its business in civil, defence, health and intelligence. In a tweet following the visit, Mayor Dave Hodgson said that it is “really valuable to have this high-value business joining the local business community.”
Councillor Lucy Bywater (Castle Ward, Green) said: “As Greens, we absolutely welcome it when quality jobs come to Bedford as that’s what local people deserve, good examples being renewable energy and health.
But the council actively celebrating a firm whose business includes developing nuclear weapons is just wrong. Is this the sort of ‘high-value’ business we should be welcoming?”
Leidos merged with Lockheed Martin’s IT sector in August 2016.
In January 2020 nuclear weapons effectively became illegal under international law in a UN treaty signed by two thirds of its member in 2017.
However none of the world’s nuclear powers have signed the treaty, Amnesty International is urging these states and others to join the movement to eliminate the most inhumane and destructive weapons ever created.
