CND’s 2021 conference takes place in two parts again this year, both on the theme of no new nuclear arms race. We hope to see some of our supporters at the members-only AGM and policy conference, and even more of you at CND open conference on Sunday 24 October from 11.00, with an excellent line-up of international speakers. Get more details and register here
Labour CND is circulating a motion for ward and constituency parties in support of the AUKUS emergency motion passed by Labour conference. Download it here and let us know if your ward or CLP passes it . See Labour Outlook explainer articles, AUKUS: Another step on the road to perdition by Labour CND Co-Chair Carol Turner and A New Nuclear Arms Race & Cold War Will Not Bring Security by Jeremy Corbyn
Labour CND Vice President Richard Burgon gave a powerful summary of priorities after Labour Party conference. If you missed Arise’s live webinar, you can catch it here
With only a few days notice before the deadline, 5 Constituency Labour Parties submitted an emergency motion on AUKUS promoted by Labour CND – Beverley and Holderness, Shipley, Brighton Pavillion, Hazel Grove, and Pendle called on the Labour leadership to oppose the agreement, maintain the party’s commitment to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and encourage diplomatic steps to repair damaged relations with France, Germany and China.
Moving the motion, Marisa Aitkin from Shipley CLP argued that the provision of nuclear powered submarines to non-nuclear Australia was likely to put the UK in breach of the NPT. It was ‘absolutely incumbent upon the Labour party to oppose the treaty, in opposition and in government’. Far from promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific, it would encourage a new nuclear arms race and cold war with China. ‘Real security comes from international cooperation, and a will to tackle together the global crises of our time,’ she said.
Claire Wadey seconded the motion for Brighton Pavillion, highlighting the Maritime Union of Australia’s response to AUKUS and speaking about the opposition of her relatives and friends in the region. In a strongly-worded statement, calling for ‘jobs and health, not nukes’, the MUA expressed total opposition to ‘billions wasted on submarines’.
The result was spectacular. Despite opposition from Labour’s front bench, it was passed with 70% support of conference on a card vote. 77% of trade unions and 62% of CLP delegates backed it. Only the GMB and a few smaller unions on the right of the party voted against.
The announcement of a tripartite military treaty between the US, UK and Australia prompted Labour CND to circulate an emergency motion for Labour Conference 2021.
The Chancellor’s statement revealed the UK economy has nose dived during the Covid-19 crisis. So why is Boris Johnson’s government so set on raising the MoD’s budget. Here’s ouar suggestion for a motion for your local party
Our Vice President Richard Burgon MP kicks off the 2021 AGM at 7pm sharp on Thursday 11 March 2021 with a keynote speech.
Participation is open to all Labour Party members who are also members of CND. You may nominate and vote for committee members, and submit motions.
Register in advance for a zoom link. Email Labour CND with your name and CLP.
PROGRAMME
Keynote speech by Fabian Hamilton MP
Shadow Minister for Peace & Disarmament
Roundtable with Jeremy Corbyn
US academic & peace activist Phyllis Bennis
and Gemma Bolton Labour NEC (pers cap)
Nuclear Ban Communities initiative breakout with Emma Dent-Coad and Matt Fawcett
Green Futures breakout with Sam Mason and Rae Street
with a little music from Hugh Greenacre
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REGISTER IN ADVANCE at LabCND Conf 2021
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There’s plenty happening for our guests to mull over on Sunday:
*** COVID – the government has spent £280 bn on Covid protection measures so far, and there’s still a long way to go. Trident replacement is costing £205 bn. Britain’s nuclear weapons system does nothing to protect us from any of the threats identified by successive UK governments for over a decade. Cancelling the project would go a long way to releasing some urgently-needed extra funding.
*** BUDGET – the UK economy has experienced the largest fall in over 300 years and government borrowing is at its highest ever level outside wartime. Why are we clinging to a nuclear weapons system that costs the earth?
*** MILITARY SPENDING – according to the Chancellor, the UK economy’s shrunk by 10%, so why are the Tories increasing MoD spending by 10% a year for the lifetime of this parliament? Labour CND is lobbying the Labour leadership not to support this increase.
*** TRIDENT – a recent edition of BBC Newsnight revealed the Tory government is lobbying President Biden to renew Trump’s commitment to funding the nuclear warhead which it shares with the UK’s Trident system, following the new administration’ announcement that it’s considering cutting back its $19 billion military spending package
*** GREEN NEW DEAL – nuclear, the elephant in the room
*** TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS – the TPNW passed into international law in January. The British government has said it will never sign up. Learn how the Nuclear Ban Communities initiative is chipping away at the impass
In November last year, Boris Johnson told parliament that the Ministry of Defence will get an extra £16.5 billion on their budget over the next 4 years. The government’s military spending plans include a Space Command, an Artifical Intelligence Agency, and other big ticket projects.
The MoD’s current budget is £41.5 billion, and the government has already promised a 0.5% above inflation increase for the next 4 years. This latest hike will mean a rise of between 10-15% a year in military spending for the rest of this parliament.
We think this is unacceptable. Labour’s front bench got it wrong when Keir Starmer backed Boris Johnson. If you agree, please join our online lobby today. Tell Labour leader Keir Starmer, Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey, and Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy what you think.
PS: thanks to everyone who responded to our call in December, and contacted your local Labour MP about this military spending spreee. Please follow through, and contact Labour’s front bench.
Join Labour CND’s online lobby here
