Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Letter to Jackie Bailie

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Published on Monday, 05 December 2016 13:39

Arthur West chair of Scottish CND has written to Labour MSP Jackie Baillie after she characterised work undertaken on defence diversification as a "pig in the poke" in an amendment to a Scottish Parliamentary motion.

The  original motion has been put up by a number of MSPs  in recent days and  is focussed on  welcoming a recent report by the respected Jimmy  Reid Foundation.

The  Jimmy Reid Foundation report follows on from previous work undertaken by our former co-ordinator John Ainslie and former chair Alan MacKinnon . The report makes a compelling case for scraping trident and spending the money saved on decent things such as housing,health and education.

Arthur West said he was very disappointed that Ms Bailie appears to have dismissed this latest report on the important subject of diversification.

He said that in his letter to the MSP he had asked  her to consider the substantial work that has been done on defence diversification issues.

Arthur West said it looks as though Jackie Baillie needs to give consideration to the issue of what society could do with money saved by scrapping trident. We now have a situation where in areas such as local government thousands of jobs have disappeared in recent years.  Scrapping trident would give us resources and funds to sustain and develop jobs across socially useful areas of the economy such as quality local government services.

Arthur West

Chair of Scottish CND

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Write to your bank - Don't bank on the bomb

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Published on Tuesday, 22 November 2016 08:46

I have been representing Scottish CND at meetings of a campaign called Don't Bank on the Bomb . This campaign  links  various organisations from the wider peace movement in a campaign to discourage Banks and Financial institutions from investing in companies involved in nuclear weapons production.
The campaign is keen to get Scottish CND supporters and people from the wider peace movement to write  to their bank and ask them whether or not they invest in companies which are involved in nuclear weapons production.

Hints for writing letters to your bank about involvement in nuclear weapons production -

1.  At beginning of letter let the financial institution know who you are. Tell them that you have an account with them.
2 Tell the bank that you wish to enquire whether they have any investments in companies connected to nuclear weapons production.

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.