Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

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 

Scottish CND Chair Disgusted at Government Announcement of Extra Spending on Trident Replacement

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Published on Wednesday, 04 April 2018 13:19

Arthur West, chair of Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, expressed his disgust about the recent Government announcement that they are set to spend an extra £600 million on the Dreadnought submarine programme which is part of Westminster's plan to replace the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Arthur West:

"It is absolutely disgusting the Government plan to spend millions of pounds in this way, instead of spending it on decent things like schools, hospitals and building new homes. 

According to public sources of information, it now looks as though the replacement of Trident could cost well over £200 billion in its lifetime. This is completely unacceptable and represents a massive drain on public service budgets."

Dreadnought is the British programme to replace the 4 Vanguard class submarines which provide continuous at sea deterrence since 1992, with Dreadnought submarines to be introduced from 2030's onward with a lifespan of just 30 years. 

Dreadnought will be based at Faslane, just 30 miles away from Glasgow and will cost over £41 billion, one of the most expensive Government projects going forward. The annual cost of the Trident system is at least £2.2 billion per year which is the equivalent to what is spent on Income Support, Statutory Maternity Pay or Carer's Allowance.

To support the fight for nuclear disarmament, consider becoming a member of Scottish CND.

Don’t Bank on the Bomb UK information

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Published on Thursday, 08 March 2018 10:42

This updated report, produced by PAX a member of the Nobel Peace Prize winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear weapons (ICAN) is the only report detailing the global investments by financial institutions in companies producing nuclear weapons.

This document extraction provides information on UK's banks. Check out the hall of fame and hall of shame lists as well as the nuclear weapons producing companies. If you want to hear more about this campaign please send us an email. If you have an account with RBS please contact them on this issue (details here).

Did you know?

26 Financial Institutions made an estimated USD$ 33,928 million available to nuclear weapon producing companies since January 2014.  But, since the adoption of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, 30 financial institutions have ceased investing in nuclear weapon producers.

Full report here.

Below is the Press Release put by Don't bank on the Bomb Scotland