Friday is a special day for me, not only because it is my 71st birthday but because it is the day the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will come into force in international law.

In my lifetime, chemical and biological weapons have rightly been declared illegal internationally as well as cluster bombs and landmines. However the most damaging weapons of them all, nuclear weapons, have not – until now.

This UN treaty has been brought about by years of tireless diplomatic work. It is a truly multi-national initiative but it is one which Westminster is, by and large, having nothing to do with. More than this, our government is, at great expense, going ahead and upgrading our part of the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Ireland ratified the treaty some time ago, the Scottish Parliament has declared itself to be strongly in favour and Wales is planning for all its churches to ring their bells in celebration Friday.

Despite the opposition of central government, some local councils in England have passed resolutions in support of the treaty. Ben Donaldson of the United Nations Association of the UK has stated “The ground is moving under the UK’s feet. We now have this significant new UN Treaty which will sit alongside the other major treaty, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and drive forward the international community’s shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons”.

I believe that it is the time for our Parliament to participate in the rolling out of this landmark treaty and use its influence to help our world on the road towards a more peaceful destination. I have contacted my MP, Sara Britcliffe, to raise these issues with her.

Joan West