Britain's defence industry now commands about 25% of the world market in arms, making Britain the second largest arms exporter in the world. Most MPs from all the old political parties - Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat - are proud of this achievement because it is good for British jobs. But an economy that is based on arms sales is not a healthy economy. Money earned from arms sales is bloodied money.

In fact, Britain has gained a bad name in the world for living off the selling of arms. By selling arms abroad, Britain is profiting from every country's desire to get ahead of its neighbour in the arms race. In some cases Britain has supplied arms to two countries who are rivals, either at war or on the brink of war with each other. Thus Britain has a vested interest in the two countries remaining hostile to each other.

This is a crime against Natural Law. The principle is: "As you sow, so shall you reap." Britain reaps the consequences of selling arms abroad by experiencing high crime, violence and terrorism at home. It is only a matter of time before arms are turned on our own nation.

The Natural Law Party is not satisfied with the proposals of other parties, who would like to stop arms sales just to those countries with oppressive regimes or an aggressive foreign policy. The view of most politicians is that "arms sales are all right provided the country we are selling to is all right". By contrast, the Natural Law Party will ban all weapons exports. It is enough that the British arms industry supplies Britain's own defence needs, without having to export to other countries.

It is wrong to suppose that Britain needs its arms export industry. In actual fact, the arms industry is heavily subsidised by the taxpayer and is costing Britain millions every year.

The defence strategy of the Natural Law Party is to promote peace not war in the world. Jobs will be found elsewhere for the 100,000 people who are currently employed in making arms for export. The defence industry employs highly trained workers whose skills can be used in other, more constructive high-technology industries.

Through its special programmes for the economy, the Natural Law Party will bring about full employment in manufacturing and service industries that nourish the quality of life in the nation and create only positive effects in the world. This will be a welcome change from the destructive role that Britain is known for at present.