News
A nuclear free independent Scotland
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- Published on Thursday, 16 March 2017 13:37
Statement on independence referendum
Scottish CND welcomes the First Minister's move to hold a second independence referendum. Brexit is a clear example of the Prime Minister's disregard for the democratically expressed opinions of the Scottish people, as is the UK Government's decision to boycott negotiations for the United Nations treaty to
ban nuclear weapons. The conference is starting in two weeks in New York , and instead of participating, the UK. Government chooses to go ahead with the modernisation of nuclear weapons which are all based in Scotland against the will of our democratically elected representatives at both Holyrood and Westminster. We look forward to working for a free and independent Scotland and the end of UK nuclear weapons based here - or anywhere.
Background note on statement
At its AGM in 2012 Scottish CND agreed to support Scottish independence and further confirmed this position at the 2016 AGM. Scottish CND see this is as our best opportunity for nuclear disarmament as we have shown in our two reports - Trident - nowhere to go and Disarming Trident. Removing nuclear weapons in Scotland would be a major contribution to ensuring nuclear disarmament in the UK. We will continue to work on a cross party and no party basis with all who are committed to nuclear disarmament. We will also continue to work with Civic Society organisations and the Trade Union movement in pursuing our goal of Scottish, UK and global nuclear disarmament.
Nato Summit, Brussels 24th-25th May 2017
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- Published on Wednesday, 01 March 2017 12:17
The next NATO summit takes place on May 24 and May 25 in Brussels.
Scottish CND intend to organise some activities in the run up to this summit which will highlight the role of NATO in our world today
Our former Scottish CND chair, Dr Alan MacKinnon, described NATO as the biggest threat to world peace.
In 2013 the SNP voted at its conference to support a position of an independent Scotland being part of NATO. However this was a very close vote and many SNP members and supporters remain opposed to NATO membership.
There is still work to be done in making quite clear just harmful NATO membership is to a country hoping to play a peaceful and constructive role in the global community. Activities and meetings in the run up to the NATO summit on May 24 and May 25 will be posted on this page.
Playing With Fire - review of the Report
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- Published on Wednesday, 01 March 2017 11:13
This is a new report by Peter Burt for the Nuclear Information Service ,published February 2017 , discussing the accident record of the UK's nuclear weapons programme over its 65 year history. It looks across the full scope of the programme, describing the most significant incidents in detail.
One thing quickly emerges from a reading of this long and detailed report: Not only are we paying for the Nuclear weapons which most of us do not want, risks are being taken in our name, with our money. As it states, ‘the intention of this report is to press the alarm button’, which it does. The report gives a ghastly list of accidents which makes you feel that the British Nuclear bomb has led a charmed life, and that if we have avoided Armageddon by the skin of our teeth it is only by pure luck, over and over again.
Operation Relentless, the programme for keeping a British nuclear submarine at sea at all times could well be called so because it imposes relentless pressures on managers, military commanders, and politicians to maintain operation at all costs as a national imperative. This leads to a disregard for safety which could have it renamed Operation Reckless.
Defense Diversification meeting and debate at Holyrood 8th February 2017
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- Published on Friday, 17 February 2017 13:46
On the 8th February a debate was held at Holyrood about report on Trident and Jobs recently published by the Jimmy Reid foundation
The debate was followed by a well attending meeting in the parliament, which was attended by Tom Simpson, GMB member, ex arms industry worker and CND supporter.
Tom writes:
Labour, Green and Scottish National MSPs joined together at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 8th February in support of the Jimmy Reid Foundation call for Trident non renewal and diversification. Many ordinary people were present in the Public gallery and discussed matters later in a committee room with elected representatives.
Wednesday Vigil at Faslane Gates - help needed due to bail conditions
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- Published on Monday, 13 February 2017 10:36
Faslane Peace Camp, Scottish CND and other peace movement groups have maintained a weekly vigil at the main gate at Faslane from 4pm to 5 pm every Wednesday for a number of years.
The vigil involves people standing peacefully with placards and banners as workers leave the base on their way home.
Peace Camp residents usually attend the vigil. However we understand that 3 peace camp residents have recently been banned from attending the vigil due to a pending court case relating to some non violent direct action they have recently been involved in.
This situation leaves the weekly vigil short handed - so any Scottish CND members or supporters who can attend the weekly vigil even if only occasionally - would be most welcome.
Brian Quail found Not Guilty
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- Published on Friday, 10 February 2017 11:53
Brian Quail, the pensioner who holds up nuclear warhead convoys in the name of peace was today cleared of a charge of Breach of the Peace.
On 10th March 2016 Brian held up a convoy of lorries carrying nuclear bombs at a pelican crossing in Balloch. As a result he was charged with Breach of the Peace, for which he was found Not Guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on 9th February 2017.
The verdict was reached after he gave a long and passionate speech, bringing even the clerk of the court close to tears. He explained what convoys are and mentioned a variety of laws, national and international, broken by their presence on our roads. He referred to Hiroshima and Nagasaki and his own ignorance to consequences of these bombs at the time. He went on to talk about the dreadful effects of nuclear testing and referred to the imminent negotiations towards a Global Nuclear Ban Treaty at the UN in New York. He spoke movingly of his personal motivation, not just to protect his family, but all families.
Life After Trident, 11 Feb
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- Published on Friday, 27 January 2017 10:30
Join Helesnburgh CND at their conference on 11 Feb, 1 - 5 pm (Helensburgh Parish Church Halls, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, G84 8UP)
Speakers
Professor Mike Danson (Heriot-Watt University)
Janet Fenton (Scottish CND)
Brendan O'Hara (MP Argyll & Bute)
Lesley Riddoch (Journalist & Broadcaster)
Chair: Alannah Maurer (Navy Not Nuclear)