Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Nuclear sub damaged in collision near Gibraltar

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Published on Friday, 22 July 2016 14:55

The Faslane-based nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Ambush was badly damaged when it collided with a merchant ship in the Mediterranean at 1.30 pm on Wednesday 20 July. The vessel then entered Gibraltar under tow. 

The Royal Navy said "There are no safety concerns associated with HMS Ambush being alongside". However any collision with a nuclear submarine has the potential to trigger a major accident, particularly if it results in a fire within the confined space of the vessel. The Navy have said that there was no damage to the nuclear-power plant, but have not indicated whether the reactor was running at the time or whether it was shut down by the incident.

All but one of Scotland's 59 MPs has voted against renewing Trident

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Published on Tuesday, 19 July 2016 09:51

Yesterday, the House of Commons voted to renew Trident despite the opposition of 58 of Scotland's 59 MPs.  

Arthur West - chair of Scottish CND said

"Those MPs who have voted for Trident replacement have shown a blatant disregard for the views of almost all of Scotland's MPs and MSPs. They have also completely disrespected the significant numbers of people in Scotland who want to get rid of nuclear weapons from our country."   

"We will continue to work flat out to get rid of nuclear weapons from Scotland. This work will include supporting efforts to secure a second independence referendum as a route to get rid of nuclear weapons from Scotland.

Scottish CND comments on new Prime Minister meeting First Minister

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Published on Friday, 15 July 2016 13:53

Scottish CND hope there is some discussion on Trident replacement  when the new Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh today.

Arthur West chair of Scottish CND said-

We expect  that the First Minister will be reminding the new PM that the vast majority of Scottish voters at the referendum voted to stay in the EU.

Mr West said that Scottish CND and the wider peace movement also feel that the clear majority of people in Scotland who oppose Trident replacement are being ignored by the Prime Minister and her party.

Can we allow Theresa May to start with Trident Renewal?

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Published on Wednesday, 13 July 2016 13:42

Thanks to David Cameron’s announcement last week Theresa May’s first act as Prime Minister will be to try to push through the renewal of Trident. After many postponements the vote on Trident replacement will be rushed through on Monday 18th July.

There will be simultaneous demonstrations in towns and cities across Scotland at 12 noon this Saturday, see events list.

Scottish CND must redouble its efforts to work for a peaceful world in response to the Chilcot Report

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Published on Thursday, 07 July 2016 08:51

Scottish CND will redouble its efforts to work for world peace in response to the Chilcot Report.

Arthur West chair of Scottish CND said:

The Chilcot Report has clearly highlighted the Iraq war as disastrous and ill advised.

Innocent Iraqis and British soldiers lost their lives in the conflict and terrorism has now spread across the Middle East.

The report also indicates that Tony Blair gave a commitment to  the US president  to go to war prior to any reference to cabinet or parliament.

Obama visit to Hiroshima

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Published on Tuesday, 05 July 2016 13:48

Scottish CND have welcomed the recent visit by President Obama to the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

A few weeks ago the President visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and signed the guest book. He also laid a wreath at the cenotaph in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park , which commemorates the victims of the nuclear bomb dropped by the United States in 1945.

Scottish CND chair Arthur West said that it was important to follow up the Obama visit to Hiroshima by ensuring that when the anniversary of the bombing comes about in August we ensure that it as usual marked by events and gatherings across the country.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Events

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Published on Tuesday, 05 July 2016 13:28

Scottish CND and other organisations within the Peace Movement are encouraging groups and individuals to organise events to mark the tragic nuclear bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima on August 6th 1945 and Nagasaki on August 9th 1945.

  Be really good if local CND groups  could let me  know of any events you are planning on these anniversaries.  We could then  publicise them on our website and circulate information to out members and other organisations within the Peace Movement.

Look forward to your response.

Arthur West

Chair of Scottish CND

Indyref2, Trident and Brexit

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Published on Monday, 27 June 2016 08:37

There are two key issues where Scotland’s voice is being ignored. One is EU membership and the other is Trident. Brexit has triggered the initial steps towards a second independence referendum. The prospect of Westminster renewing Trident, in the teeth of Scottish opposition, could push support for Yes2 well over the line.

Nuclear convoy ignores Motorway Closed signs

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Published on Saturday, 21 May 2016 08:00

If you are driving on the motorway and see a red X above your lane, then you must move to the side. If there are red Xs on all three lanes then you must leave the motorway. But not if you have a nuclear bomb in the back of your truck - when, it would appear, normal safety rules don't apply. 

At 11.55 pm on Wednesday 18 May, a 20-vehicle convoy transporting Trident nuclear bombs to Coulport, drove under three red Xs at junction 2 on the M74 at Dalmarnock in Glasgow. The blue lights of police vehicles at the back of the convoy are just visible in the photograph. The vehicles continued along a section of motorway which was closed to all other traffic. The convoy did the same a few miles later at junction 24 on the M8 in Govan, where it drove on a second closed part of the motorway network.