News
Report from Members Debate in Holyrood – 2 May 2018, Civil Contingency in Nuclear Weapon Transport
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- Published on Thursday, 03 May 2018 14:02
For over an hour the Scottish Parliament discussed nuclear weapons convoys in a debate raised by
Mark Ruskell MSP from the Scottish Greens. It was a members debate which comes after decision
time so most members leave then but 22 stayed to listen and contribute.
Mark Ruskell introduced the motion and thanked David Mackenzie and Jane Tallents for the Unready
Scotland report and paid tribute to the work of the Nukewatch network. He explained why the
hazards of nuclear weapons transport are so unique and the results of a survey of Scottish Local
Authorities by him which showed that none of them had conducted risk assessments or informed
the public. He said that the current devolution settlement laid responsibility for community safety
with the Scottish Government under the Civil Contingencies Act 2014 and called for them to hold a
review of civil authorities plans for a convoy accident.
Bill Kidd (SNP) said no one should be ignorant of what these convoys carry and called for the
minister to consider setting up a group to conduct a review.
Civil Contingency in Nuclear Weapon Transport to be debated in the Scottish Parliament
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- Published on Wednesday, 25 April 2018 09:43
In Scotland last year, following a careful examination of the local authorities readiness (or not as the case is) to deal with any emergency arising from the regular convoys that take the Uk's nuclear warheads up and down the country on the back of lorries, campaign group Nukewatch worked with Green MSP Mark Ruskell to compile a meticulous report, Unready Scotland, to expose this gap in the Scottish Government's duty of care.
It has now been taken up by our parliamentary all party group on nuclear disarmament and will be debated in our Scottish Parliament.
They are asking the Scottish Government to examine the risk assessment and public information in place, and to highlight any shortcomings to the UK Government.
A detail perhaps, and a small action, but it could be a concrete measure that the Scottish Government would be allowed to take. and I hope you might take the opportunity to send messages of encouragement to our First Minister in the hope that the Scottish Government will agree to take the steps suggested in this parliamentary motion.
Motion S5M-11539: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 09/04/2018
Civil Contingency in Nuclear Weapon Transport
That the Parliament understands that the Ministry of Defence regularly transports nuclear weapons on public roads in convoys that pass through or close to communities in the Argyll and Bute, Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, Stirling, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian local authority areas; believes that there is an inherent risk in transporting high explosives and radioactive material together on public roads; understands that information on what to do in an emergency involving a nuclear reactor is regularly circulated to residents close to the Coulport and Faslane bases but that no equivalent information relating to an incident involving nuclear weapons is available to communities along the regular convoy route; believes that although defence is a reserved matter, it would be for the civil authorities such as police, fire and rescue and local authorities to attempt to respond to any emergency as so-called category 1 responders, and notes the view that these civil authorities must have sufficient assessments and plans in place to respond.
Supported by: John Mason, Bill Kidd, Patrick Harvie, Sandra White, Alison Johnstone, John Finnie, Ross Greer, Richard Lyle, Jenny Gilruth, Bob Doris, Kenneth Gibson, Claudia Beamish, Ruth Maguire, Tom Arthur
Current Status: Achieved Cross Party Support
Contact Your MP to Support the NPT
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- Published on Thursday, 19 April 2018 15:27
Talks begin in Geneva on Monday 23rd April 2018 which focus on the future of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). 2018 is the 50th anniversary of this treaty - which was a milestone in international attempts to rid the world of nuclear weapons. You can find your MP's contact details here.
Scottish CND understand how important these talks are in Geneva are to the future of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and ask all members and supports to contact their MP over the next few days. This could be by email, text, telephone or even Twitter, ask them to support and put their name to Early Day Motion 1122.
You can find your MP's contact details here.
Stop the Bombing of Syria Protest.
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- Published on Wednesday, 18 April 2018 10:07
STOP THE BOMBING OF SYRIA. NO TO WAR - YES TO DEMOCRACY PROTEST.
Friday 20th April - 5:30pm - Buchanan Street steps (229-235 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 2NG).
This protest was called by Glasgow Stop the War Coalition and Scottish CND.
Attend on the Facebook event for further updates.
Theresa May's cynicism is so deep it is hard for us to comprehend. There was quite simply no possible good outcome from this bombing in the Middle East, even from our rulers' warped perspective. People will have surely died, the war will be prolonged, it will have done nothing to control chemical weapons and tensions with Iran and Russia will have risen. International law is unambiguous that these strikes were illegal too.
But no matter, Trump has been obeyed and May thinks she looks tough on the world stage. Not really though. It is too obvious she is frightened of Parliament, which is reconvening on Monday and that she is taking orders from Washington. It is also clear that the US's position in the world is weakening.
A Response to the Situation in Syria - Scottish CND Chair
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- Published on Friday, 13 April 2018 16:06
At the present time there is a strong possibility that military action could be taken by the US, UK and France in relation to the current situation in Syria.
Scottish CND condemn any use of chemical weapons and we take the view that further military action would lead to more death and destruction and would worsen the situation of the people of Syria.
Military action by the US, UK and France would also increase the cycle of violence and risk direct confrontation between the great powers. Scottish CND take the view that there is a need to work towards a political solution in Syria and we call for a ceasefire on all sides.
In response to the very serious situation in Syria, the following activities have been organised for SATURDAY 14TH APRIL 2018:
- Street stall/vigil at Bridgegate, Irvine: 10am - 11am - organised by Scottish CND and Ayrshire CND.
- Street stall/vigil at The Cross, Kilmarnock: 1130am - 1230pm - organised by Scottish CND and Ayrshire CND.
- Street stall/vigil on Debenhams, Argyle Street, Glasgow: 2pm - 3pm - organised by Scottish CND and Glasgow CND
- Protest in East End of Princess Street, Edinburgh: 1230pm - organised by Edinburgh Stop the War
Anyone interested is welcome to come. We will have Scottish CND leaflets and materials on the stall. We will also have petitions opposing military action in Syria for people to sign. People can come to help on stall by putting leaflets out and standing in solidarity with the people of Syria - please bring banners and placards if you wish. People can just drop by and sign the petition and make a brief visit to the stall.
Please pass the word round about these street stalls/vigils.
Arthur West
Chair of Scottish CND
Work at the UK's Biggest Festivals and Raise Funds for CND!
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- Published on Thursday, 05 April 2018 08:48
Stirling University CND are raising money this summer by providing volunteers to the Workers' Beer Company, who run bars at music festivals and is owned by Battersea and Wandsworth TUC.
Queens of the Stone Age Concert: 30th June 2018
Finsbury Park Festival: 1st July 2018
Lovebox and Citadel: 13th - 15th July 2018
You'll need to do a maximum 7 hour shift per day (usually less than this) serving alcohol in a bar. In return, you'll be provided with accommodation, one hot meal per day and transport to and from the festival (provided you make your own way to regional pick up point).
All the time you're not working, you have free access to the festival and the time's your own. You'll also get 2 drinks vouchers per shift worked which can be exchanged for a pint of beer or cider or a glass of wine (soft drink option available).
For each hour you work, Scottish CND will receive £7 which will go towards funding the campaign for nuclear disarmament and projects such as this summer's Peace Academy (applications still open).
An open letter to John Swinney - nuclear convoys
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- Published on Wednesday, 04 April 2018 14:05
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
An open letter to John Swinney, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Resilience Dear Mr Swinney
I am writing on behalf of Scottish CND to share our concern about the continuing and regular transport of the UK's nuclear weapons on Scottish roads. Our objection to this traffic is twofold. The movement by road of nuclear warheads is a key part of the UK's horrifying and illegal Trident nuclear weapon system. The transport also presents immediate and unacceptable risks to the communities through which the nuclear weapon convoys pass, risks which the UK Ministry of Defence itself acknowledges and attempts to justify as acceptable in order to maintain the Trident system. Our concern has been heightened by the publication of the Nukewatch report “Unready Scotland” and the disappointing response of the Scottish government to its findings (REPORT link). The report has highlighted a general unreadiness on the part of Scottish local authorities on convoy routes to respond effectively to a serious incident, in terms of their duties under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004). The report noted in particular a general failure to conduct appropriate risk assessments of the threat posed by the traffic and a complete failure to make and keep their public informed, both of which are statutory duties under the Act. While accepting that defence is reserved to Westminster and that the conduct of the convoys is a UK government responsibility, the report has recommended that the Scottish government conducts a review into the readiness of the relevant civil authorities in Scotland to effectively fulfil their statutory part following any serious incident. To date the Scottish government has not acceded to this request. Scottish CND supports the Nukewatch request for a review as a sensible and appropriate step forward. Meanwhile there are strong indications that the new UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is already having a significant impact in advance of its entry into force. Since the adoption of the Treaty, 30 financial institutions have ceased investing in nuclear weapon producers. At UN level ICAN is reliably advised that the nuclear-armed states, including the United Kingdom, are feeling the challenge that the Treaty poses to their nuclear weapon status. The treaties banning chemical weapons, cluster munitions and landmines have led the way in changing the norm around these inhumane weapons, and there are signs that the nuclear ban treaty is beginning to have the same effect.
We are delighted that a majority of Scottish parliamentarians, including the entire Scottish government, have signed the ICAN Parliamentary Pledge to work for the advancement of the TPNW. Scotland has a unique position as a significant section of a nuclear-armed state which at both popular and parliamentary level rejects that state's possession of these WMD. This is recognised worldwide. In that context it is vital that all reasonable and constitutionally viable steps be taken to align with the Treaty.
One such step is the modest one recommended by Nukewatch. Scottish CND commends it to you.
Yours sincerely,
Jean Anderson
Scottish CND Secretary
On behalf of the Executive Committee