London CND Meeting: Labour Q&A on nuclear weapons

Fabian Hamilton, Labour's Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament gave London CND supporters a rousing speech last week in the Houses of Parliament. He told the engaged audience that he was and always has been a CND supporter alongside Jeremy Corbyn. He spoke about the stance of Labour on nuclear weapons over the years and reasons to be optimistic.

He spoke about the nuclear weapons ban treaty which has just been opened for signature, and how he had been to the UN ban treaty negotiations earlier this year. Which is more to be said for the current UK government who chose to boycott the proceedings with the USA.

Christine Shawcroft, Labour Party National Executive Committee, also spoke with a tone of optimism. She reminded us that nuclear weapons did not protect against 9/11 or 7/7. 

Finally the living legend Walter Wolfgang reminded us of the common sense argument that 'We cannot achieve the society we want if we waste a lot of money on nuclear weapons.' 

London CND New Guide to Setting up a University Group

Universities are places of learning and places of free thinking. They are the perfect place to set up your very own CND university group but this might seem daunting at first.

In come London CND to the rescue. London CND has created a guide to setting up your very own CND university group in your own campus. 

Our guide will explain to you how to:

1. Take your first steps- ratifying the group
2. How to succeed at Freshers Fair
3. Your First Mail out
4. Your First Event
5. Taking the next steps as a group

Download it now

Green Party Conference: a clear stance against nuclear weapons

By Georgia Elander

Last weekend at the Green Party’s autumn conference, there was clearly some soul-searching going on about the party’s place in the new political landscape dominated by Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour.

But after Corbyn’s failure to change his party’s policy on nuclear disarmament, this is one area where the Green Party’s voice is crucial.

In co-leader Jonathan Bartley’s speech, he highlighted this issue and spoke about the UN nuclear ban treaty, saying:

“We have choices. And the choices we make, make the future. And there is no greater threat to that future than the choices being made now about nuclear weapons.

“Today I want to say a huge congratulations to ICAN, the International Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons. On Friday they won the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in bringing about the Global Nuclear Ban Treaty.

“There’s a cosy consensus in Westminster in support of nuclear weapons. But we’re willing to speak the truth.The UK refused to take part in talks on the UN’s nuclear ban treaty. It’s one thing to duck a TV debate. But to boycott the chance to rid the world of nuclear weapons is a reckless abdication of responsibility, a moral outrage, and a gamble with our planet.

“The heightened tensions between the US and North Korea have brought us close to the brink of nuclear war. Yet the UK Government turned away from a chance to wage peace and the official opposition stayed silent.But the truth will be told.

“Nuclear weapons belong in the past. They are dangerous. They do not bring peace. And we want a world without them.”