"This is a first strike weapon": report from our March public meeting

On Tuesday evening 60 London CND members crowded into a meeting room at SOAS for a talk on the explosive theme ‘are we heading for nuclear war?’

Ted Seay addressing the meeting on Tuesday

We had two excellent speakers. The first was Ted Seay, tactical nuclear weapons expert and former arms control advisor with the US Mission to NATO.

Ted talked us through the recent US Nuclear Posture Review, which you can read about on our website here. The key problem with the review, he explained, is the move away from reducing nuclear stockpiles towards developing smaller nuclear weapons - or even fitting non-nuclear warheads onto Trident missiles. As he pointed out, this is not the greatest idea in a world of heightened global tensions, where the slightest provocation - let alone the firing of a Trident missile! - risks provoking nuclear war.

Ted also spoke about NATO, giving us the benefit of his many years’ experience working with the organisation. All NATO states are signed up to eradicate nuclear weapons - “but don’t hold your breath!” Under the Obama administration, there was an opportunity for the US to withdraw its nuclear weapons from European soil - a key first step towards denuclearisation. But that chance was missed and it’s unlikely to happen under Trump. Not only this but the development of new nuclear weapons like the B61-12 (more on that later!) explicitly violates the commitment not to develop new nuclear capabilities.

As Ted pointed out, NATO’s raison d’etre - the USSR - was dissolved in 1991. The US has a responsibility to lead the way in de-nuclearising the alliance. So far it’s failing miserably.

Our second speaker was Professor Dave Webb, CND chair. He took us in more detail through the new nuclear weapons currently being developed - including the B61-12. The B61-12 is designed to be more ‘precise’ than the current generation of nuclear missiles, increasing accuracy to within 10 metres - which, as our speakers pointed out, is patently absurd when you’re talking about a weapon with such far-reaching and devastating effects as a nuclear bomb. These developments are already being seen as dangerous and provocative both inside and outside the US.

Professor Dave Webb talking us through the new "super-fuze" 

Professor Webb left us with a chilling final question. “If these weapons are for deterrence, why do they need to be precise? This is a first strike weapon.”

You can read our live Twitter updates from the meeting here.

Walter Wolfgang wins Ron Todd Peace Prize

Walter Wolfgang receiving his award at the Marx Memorial Library

London CND executive committee member Walter Wolfgang was awarded the 2018 Ron Todd Peace Prize at a ceremony on 10 March. A life-long campaigner for nuclear disarmament and an organiser of the first Aldermaston march, Walter would whole-heartedly approve of the Ron Todd Foundation’s motto: you don’t have power if you surrender your principles – you have office.

Ron Todd was a London lad who left school at 14. He joined the Transport and General Workers Union, the predecessor of today’s Unite union, when he worked at the Walthamstow Ford factory and became the union’s general secretary in 1985 until he retired in1992.

The TGWU was one of the earliest affiliate of CND, and continued to promote nuclear disarmament under his leadership.  Ron became a Vice President of CND until his death in 2005.

London CND joins Saudi visit protest

LRCND committee members Helen and Hannah

London CND was out in force on 7 March to protest Mohammad bin Salman’s state visit at the invitation of Theresa May, including London CND Vice Chair Hannah Kemp-Welch and EC Member Helen Toomey pictured here. Hundreds of protesters gathered at Downing Street to say ‘Crown Prince Not Welcome’.

Shadow International Development Secretary Kate Osamor spoke at the rally, as did MPs Andy Slaughter, Chris Williamson, and others. The Green Party was represented by Deputy Leader Amelia Womack, and Sinn Fein by Joe Dwyer. Earlier in the day Jeremy Corbyn made a strong statement in parliament denouncing Saudi’s abysmal human rights record.

The arms that Britain sells to Saudi Arabia have been used in its war on Yemen, a war that’s sparked what the UN describes as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. As Defence Minister, the Crown Prince has led that war. When the Prime Minister Theresa May invited him over, an ad hoc committee got together, including London CND Chair, Carol Turner, to organise a series of activities in opposition to the visit.

These included a parliamentary petition calling for the invitation to be withdrawn which attracted 11,863 signatures. Under parliamentary rules the government is required to respond if a petition is supported by 10,000 people. In response, the Foreign Office issued a statement claiming, among other things:

• ‘Regular engagement is a vital part of our strong relationship with Saudi Arabia, which is important for mutual security and prosperity and includes meaningful discussion on reform and human rights’;

• ‘The longstanding partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK has helped make both of our countries safer and more prosperous’;

• ‘The Crown Prince has embarked on a series of reforms to modernise society and the economy’; and

• ‘Our starting point for engagement on human rights with all countries is based on what is practical, realistic and achievable…’

The ad hoc committee issued a repudiation. You can read both on the Stop the War website.

Green Party Deputy Leader Amelia Womack

The success of the committee shows what can be achieved when peace organisations come together with progressive Arab organisations.

The committee included Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Global Justice, Peace Pledge Union, Stop the War and War on Want, as well Arab Organisation for Human Rights UK, the Bahrain Opposition Bloc, BIRD, Human Rights for Yemen, Iraqi Democrats, Sheba for Democracy and Human Rights, Stop the War. Its success in part lies in the collaboration between UK peace organisations and progressive groups from the region. Watch this space for news of futher action.