Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

John Ainslie, co-ordinator Scottish CND

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Published on Friday, 21 October 2016 16:29

It is with great sadness that I bring you the news that John Ainslie, co-ordinator of Scottish CND for over 25 years, passed away earlier today, Friday 21st October.

John made a remarkable contribution to Scottish CND and the wider peace movement during his lifetime. 

He produced outstanding reports which made the case against nuclear weapons in a way which carried authority and respect across the political spectrum.

John ran the Scottish CND office for many years and he was a tireless organiser of events and activities all aimed at making the case for a nuclear weapons free world.

Scottish CND and the wider peace movement have today lost a massively influential figure and friend who will be sadly missed.

We are immensely  grateful to John for his intellectual vigour, organisational and strategic skills, and sheer commitment he gave to our organisation over so many years.

Any condolences and messages of sympathy sent to the office will be collected and sent to John's family.

Funeral details will be publicised when arranged.

In Peace

Arthur West

Chair of  Scottish CND

Holyrood Motion to support global nuclear weapons ban

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Published on Monday, 17 October 2016 07:52

Scottish CND welcomes Holyrood motion supporting an international nuclear weapons ban 

Lodged By: Alison Johnstone

Date Lodged: 13/10/2016

Title: Time for a Nuclear Weapon-free World

Motion Text:

That the Parliament welcomes the recommendation from the UN Security Council’s Open-Ended Working Group on Nuclear Disarmament (OEWG) calling for a UN conference in 2017 to negotiate a treaty to ban nuclear weapons and lead to their complete elimination; deeply regrets the UK’s absence from the OEWG’s talks; considers that the Scottish Parliament and citizens of Scotland have stood against the possession of nuclear weapons, including opposing the recent Trident renewal; regrets that Scotland is unable to participate in the OEWG’s negotiations; supports action by states such as Ireland, Austria, South Africa, Nigeria and New Zealand to submit an additional supporting resolution to the First Committee of the UN, and recognises that the Scottish Government's efforts to dissuade the UK Government from supporting Trident are in line with the majority of states participating in the OEWG.

Nuclear weapons convoy stopped in Stirling

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Published on Friday, 16 September 2016 12:56

The nuclear weapons convoy travelling from the Atomic Weapons Establishment Burghfield to Coulport on Wednesday 15 Sept 2016 was stopped not once, but twice as it made its way across Scotland.

Brain Quail and Alastair Ibbotson stopped the 20 vehicle convoy as it made its way past the busy roundabout next to the fire station and a large housing estate on the outskirts of Stirling. As it passed slowly through the Raploch roundabout just under Stirling Castle they calmly flagged it down and lay in the road in front of it. While the police carried Alastair, a local student, off the road Brian wriggled under one of the vehicles. The convoy was halted for 20 minutes while they were removed and arrested  leaving dozens of Stirling commuters wondering what the holdup was. They were taken to Falkirk police station but later released.

Brian has a long history of peaceful protest against nuclear weapons. He was also responsible for single-handedly holding up the convoy for 20 minutes in Balloch in March.

The Truth about Trident by Timmon Milne

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Published on Tuesday, 26 July 2016 09:20

The recent book The Truth about Trident by Timmon Milne Wallis is  excellent in  making the case against nuclear weapons.

I would suggest that the book should be read by all Scottish CND members and supporters.

The book is very clearly written and the summaries at the end of each chapter are very helpful.

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.