Campaign CND Review 2017 61958–2018 Help get our giant CND symbol to famous landmarks around the country with a donation . For CND’s 60th anniversary, we’re taking a giant CND symbol on a national tour! We want to attract thousands of visitors around the country to raise awareness of CND, of the UN’s global nuclear ban treaty and of our aim to stop Trident replacement. Can you help us raise £12,000 by 1st February to build this massive version of our iconic logo, and transport it to famous UK locations? The more we can raise, the more show-stopping we can make the giant symbol and the greater the number of high profile sites we can take it to. You can donate online at cnduk.org/supportcndat60 or fill in this form. Thank you!

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Every year has its ups and downs Campaign for but this year has seemed even more extreme CND campaigns non-violently than usual! We probably came the closest we’ve to achieve British nuclear been to a nuclear war since the 1962 Cuban disarmament – for scrapping Missile Crisis but also closest to banning the Trident nuclear weapons nuclear weapons altogether since Gorbachev system and preventing its replacement. met Reagan in Reykjavik in 1986! And the decision to award the Nobel Prize to the CND works to secure UK support for the nuclear International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear weapons ban treaty which Weapons was a huge encouragement that we’re on the right track! outlaws nuclear weapons The year started with apprehension as the new US President, globally, as chemical and Donald Trump, took office. Largely because of his position on biological weapons have nuclear weapons, the Doomsday Clock was moved forward to been banned. We also work to end Britain’s participation two and a half minutes to midnight – the most serious it’s been in the US Missile Defence since the 1950s. system and – with other Things turned more positive as negotiations on a treaty to ban campaigns inter nationally – nuclear weapons got underway and finally agreed at the UN - a day against missile defence and we had been working towards for decades. weapons in space. Tensions over North Korea nuclear tests heightened throughout Other current campaigns 2017. Trump sent a battle fleet to the area and promised ‘fire and include the prevention and cessation of wars in which fury’ while Kim Jong-un responded by threatening a pre-emptive nuclear weapons may be nuclear strike on Guam. CND called for a diplomatic solution, used, opposition to NATO organising a delegation to the US embassy and taking out a and its nuclear policies, and full-page newspaper advert calling for ‘No Nuclear War’. to nuclear power. I was as surprised as anyone by the snap General Election in CND is funded almost entirely June. It was good to see that Labour leader and CND Vice- by members and supporters, President ’s personal opposition to nuclear weapons and our policies are decided upon by our annual national did not stop millions from voting for him and his party – on the delegates’ conference, where contrary it seemed to boost his support. Unfortunately, however, we our national leadership is also still have a government committed to nuclear weapons and Labour elected. Details of our has so far retained its pro-nuclear and pro-NATO policies. national offices, and our Trident is assigned to NATO which has a nuclear first-use network of regions can be policy; in May we took an active part in the vibrant protest at the found at the back of this Review. NATO Summit in Brussels. Another success this year was our ‘No Need for Nuclear – the Renewables are Here’ conference. 2017 was at times difficult but at other times so encouraging. Thank you to all CND supporters for your amazing work throughout it all! I look forward to working with you in 2018 to make the world a secure and safe place - free of the threat of a nuclear holocaust.

1 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT 2017: hope not fear We are living in a dangerous period, but also in a time of great opportunity, writes CND General Secretary Kate Hudson.

HERE’S no doubt we are living in dangerous times – when the Tmedia routinely discuss the possibility of world war three, something is going very badly wrong. But we are also living in a time of great opportunity, and nowhere are these contra - dictions more starkly posed than in the struggle against nuclear weapons and war. We have all been horrified by the aggressive rhetoric from Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un – and the possibility of the war of words replacement, promoting the cannot be trusted because he turning into catastrophic nuclear global ban, opposing NATO in won’t commit to killing millions use. But at the same time 2017 Brussels or engaging in the by pressing the nuclear button. has seen a huge step forward many other activities that CND Far from providing Theresa inter nationally, with the groups and members take up. May with a ringing endorsement adoption by the United Nations Our message is one of hope and a strengthened majority for of a global nuclear weapons ban and possibility and we will her nuclear-fuelled, intolerance- treaty. always stand for peace against promoting, inequality increasing The news that ICAN nuclear confrontation and war. government, the election saw a disarmament campaigners were significant shift towards the awarded this year’s Nobel peace Trident scaremongering politics of hope, peace, prize, serves to highlight that failed inclusivity, justice and equality. polarisation, between confronta - The general election dominated Jeremy Corbyn’s tion on the one hand, and the early part of the year. The longstanding opposition to cooperation on the other. That Conservative bid to gain votes nuclear weapons, and his has been a strong theme in our by scaremongering about the personal opposition to Trident work during the course of the nuclear threat spectacularly replacement, did not deter year, whether we’ve been failed as too did their attempts millions of people from voting pursuing cancellation of Trident to suggest that Jeremy Corbyn for him. Indeed the likelihood is 2 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017

community of nations. Over the past months, some have attempted to persist with the myth that Labour needs to look ‘strong on defence’ to win – and that this means supporting Trident replacement. The election showed this to be unfounded. Labour did not surge because its shadow defence secretary repeatedly insists that Labour supports Trident replacement – and more recently has attacked the government for not spending enough on defence. It has surged in spite of that, because it has a vision of a different society, and because everyone knows that Jeremy Corbyn does not support Trident replacement. Now is an opportune moment for Labour – and other supporters of nuclear weapons - to throw off this dangerous and expensive burden, and recognise that Britain’s future lies in playing a different and more constructive role in the world: that many – particularly young and its biggest increase in the being genuinely a force for people – voted for him precisely share of the vote since 1945. peace. because he opposes war, Labour’s support has grown One very significant step intervention and weapons of because of Corbyn’s policies forward – which can certainly mass destruction. Support for based on peace, respect and help break down Labour Trident replacement is negligible our shared humanity. And this support for Trident, comes in amongst the younger generation vision goes beyond national the shape of Motion 17, passed and it is clear that the narrative boundaries to his vision of at this year’s TUC Congress, of investment in homes, health, how we relate to the rest of which calls on Labour to set up education and jobs, has been the world. No longer Blair’s a shadow defence diversification very popular. ‘war-fighting nation’, agency, prior to it becoming a After all, it led to Labour’s ‘punching above its weight’, statutory body when they are in first increase in seats since 1997 but a decent part of a shared government. This will enable 3 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT the workforce and industry to lead plans for diversification in the sector, make it part of a new industrial policy and remove the fear of unemployment. Our work to secure the cancellation of Trident replacement continues!

Global Ban In September, the United Nations’ nuclear weapons ban treaty opened for signature. Hand-in of members’ postcards to the FCO States from across the world have stepped forward to sign up it will be to get the nuclear to prohibit nuclear weapons – weapons states on side with the over 50 on current count. This Treaty, but it does make helpful is a giant step forward on the provision for dealing with them. road towards global abolition. While states will be encouraged The treaty follows decades of to join the treaty at the first grassroots campaigning across opportunity, there are provisions the world – CND has been in Article 4 for states to join at a calling for a global ban on Global Ban Lobby of Parliament later stage. The nuclear weapons nuclear weapons since its states can sign up prior to founding in 1958 and we are denounced the efforts to bring disarmament, initially removing delighted at the development. about a nuclear-free world. their weapons from operational Over one hundred countries Successive UK governments status and eventually destroying are likely to sign the treaty, but have stated their support for them on the basis of a detailed will Britain make the most of multilateral nuclear disarma - time-bound plan, agreed with this crucial opportunity for ment, but they have failed to the relevant international peace? At the moment – under take action to match the authority. One of the this Tory government – things rhetoric. Our job now is to exert contributions that CND plans to aren’t looking too positive. pressure on the government to make in 2018 is to provide the When the ban treaty was back it – rather than its current government with such a plan. negotiated, our government position, which is that Britain We are delighted that the boycotted the process, despite will never support it! Of course Treaty has been agreed by the claiming that it plays a full and it’s not just a question of this UN – it’s the fulfilment of so active role in the UN’s government’s policy. It is also much work over decades, but disarmament discussions. As the vital that the Labour Party and the Treaty itself is just the first first round of talks got underway Liberal Democrats back the ban step and we realise that getting the UK Ambassador chose to treaty as well as shifting their the UK to sign up will be a long stand shoulder to shoulder with policy on Trident. haul, given that the UK the US Ambassador as she We are all aware how difficult parliament voted almost a year 4 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017 ago to give the £205bn project spending by NATO countries. alternative, whoever is in to replace Trident the green These were strong themes at government, because to light. But we will continue to the NATO summit in Brussels condone and embrace NATO is work with all our partners in in May, while CND participated to abandon the cause of peace, Parliament and across civil in concurrent protests and a the pursuit of justice, and any society to raise awareness of the counter-summit posing our vision of a world that exists for treaty as an integral part of our alternative vision. Trump visited the people. work to scrap Trident. There is Brussels for the event, so there This isn’t just sentiment or huge potential here to bring was a massive turn out from utopianism on my part. Because about positive change. Belgian civil society for the the truth is you can’t pursue the demonstration, with a vibrant vision of a more peaceful and NATO day of discussion as a follow up. just world if you play a leading We live in interesting times Raising awareness of the role in NATO’s aggressive when it comes to US relations aggressive and destabilising role global aggrandisement and with pretty much any part of the of NATO is vitally important. replace the Trident nuclear world. President Trump’s Too many people are unaware weapons system. The over - idiosyncratic approach to policy of it, or somehow have the view whelming majority of the world often leads to mixed messages. that NATO is a benign global wants nuclear disarmament, as Trump tweets one, while US force that helps out in moments we have seen with the nuclear institutions pursue others. In of crisis. That’s the spin that the weapons ban treaty, and we fact, since his entry onto the establishment would like us to need to be part of that majority. global stage, we’ve heard him believe. So naturally I was As we enter 2018, our 60th say completely contradictory dismayed to hear Shadow anniversary year, let’s recommit things about Russia, NATO and Emily to fighting for a nuclear-free nuclear weapons – sometimes Thornberry state proudly in her world, and also – as our Aims inflammatory, sometimes speech spell out – to campaigning ‘to conciliatory. But whatever the in September, that Britain under create genuine security for latest Trump outburst, the reality Labour “will be a strong leader future generations’. This means is that NATO and Russia are within NATO, committed to challenging the notion that currently undergoing military spend two per cent of our ‘might makes right’ and pulling exercises on a scale not seen national income on defence.” down the edifice of militarism since the Cold War. When Labour is challenging so and war. Tens of thousands of troops much, surely Britain’s role in the are involved, across eastern world can be rethought too, Europe, as well as aircraft, rather than merely reiterating warships, tanks and artillery. current government policy? This was a central factor in our These commitments cannot work this year with partners go unchallenged. They breed across Europe and beyond, war, global injustice and against the continued expansion inequality and these are what the of NATO, its nuclear role, and campaigns attempts by the US to impose against. And we will continue to greater levels of military do so, and to argue for an 5 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

017Awas the yearworld of the without nuclear weapons Global Nuclear Ban. After decades of campaigning for2 a nuclear weapons-free world, CND groups across the country started work on persuading the UK government to sign this treaty. And we had a chance to celebrate at the end of the year, as the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Yorkshire CND International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) – of which CND is a partner organisation – for its work in securing the global ban. CND was present at both the negotiations for the treaty in March and when it was adopted Penzance CND in July. The new United Nations ban treaty, with representa tives Salisbury CND public meeting treaty will make it illegal for its travelling to the UN for the first signatories to make, test, possess round of talks. Christian CND Throughout the year, or use nuclear weapons. The has been instru mental in Christian CND has spoken at a UK government refused to updating churches on the number of meetings to raise the participate in the UN talks even of the talks, and profile of the ban treaty. Ahead though 75% of British people organised a statement from of the negotiations, they held wanted the government to get Christian leaders when the treaty their annual Embassy Walk in involved. opened for signatures. A major London, where they spoke to So that’s been CND’s key conference on nuclear disarma - embassy representatives. A new task this year – to persuade ment took place at the Vatican booklet entitled ‘Thy Kingdom Parliamentarians to join the in November, with Catholic Come’ was produced, which majority of the world in commentators suggesting that included a prayer diary for supporting a global nuclear the conference signalled a members during the weapons ban. dramatic shift in the Church's negotiations. Like a lot of CND groups, approach to nuclear weapons Salisbury CND hosted a much of Christian CND’s under the stewardship of Pope well-attended public meeting on campaigning in 2017 was on the Francis. the global ban, where attendees 6 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017

A world without nuclear weaponscollected and posted. Merseyside CND arranged various stalls on the issue. Yorkshire CND organised a number of actions around the global ban. This culminated in a celebratory street party in Leeds city centre on the day the treaty opened for signatures. With banners, dove-shaped helium balloons, glasses of fizzy and their wonderful global ban fairy cakes, they made quite an East Midlands CND impression on commuters. They were joined by Fabian Hamilton heard first hand from Article 36 As the UK government has MP, Shadow Minister for Peace about the discussions leading to so far refused to sign the treaty, & Disarmament, along with the ban treaty. Other groups to CND launched the Citizens’ another Leeds MP. There were host public meetings on this Treaty in 2017, which gives the further celebration events in subject included St Albans people of the UK the Huddersfield, Keighley, Skipton CND, Bath CND and opportunity to indicate their and Grassington. Bedford CND. support. Norwich CND was Kingston Peace CND’s General Secretary one of the groups that collected Council/CND met their local Kate Hudson spoke at East signatures. The group also MP – and leader of the Liberal Midlands CND’s public urged supporters to write to Democrats – Sir Vince Cable to meeting on the ban. In addition, their MPs and the Foreign ask him to put pressure on the the group has been writing to Secretary Boris Johnson, urging government to sign the treaty. the press to highlight this them to work more effectively Following on from this important development in our towards a global ban. successful meeting, CND hopes campaign. Tavistock Peace Action to meet with the Liberal Penzance CND held rallies Group also encouraged the Democrat leadership to secure a in support of the global ban public to contact Boris Johnson, change in the party’s policy. while Greater Manchester & by having a stall with cards ready Lancaster District CND were District CND were involved in made to send to him. Kent successful in lobbying their local a banner drop stunt. Area CND managed to engage MP, former Liberal Democrat Nottingham CND highlighted the public by holding a stall with leader Tim Farron MP to the ban with an action outside postcards and a post-box so that publicly declare his support for the city’s Council House. cards to Boris Johnson could be the treaty. 7 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Chester CND asked their and we congratulate all the MP to send a question on their grassroots activists and behalf to Boris Johnson, asking campaigners, in Britain and why the UK government around the world, who have refused to take part in the done so much to make this negotiations and why they voted treaty possible. against the ban treaty. CND called a day of action Tower Hamlets CND also in December to celebrate the Wimbledon Disarmament contacted their local MPs. Jim award and groups across the Coalition/CND Fitzpatrick MP did write to the country arranged events. Foreign Office on their behalf, Nottingham CND arranged a urging the government to special meeting to increase participate in the ban awareness of ICAN receiving negotiations, though the the prize; Yorkshire CND live- response was predictably streamed the ceremony and dismissive. The group took part London Region CND held a in a town criers’ street action social to celebrate. Lancaster around Trafalgar Square to District CND made the prize Kent Area CND highlight the ban negotiations. the focus of their presence at Bristol CND was attending the Green Christmas Fair in the Sidcot ‘Festival of Peace’ as Lancaster. The ICAN-UK the negotiations started. To network of disarmament mark this, the group invited the organisations including CND, young people attending the arranged a die-in outside the festival to ‘Give Peace a Hand’ Ministry of Defence in London. and contribute towards an Abingdon Peace Group artwork symbolising peace and Crawley CND arranged a Lancaster District CND through cooperation. Bristol stall for supporters to sign the CND also wrote a double-page Citizens’ Treaty while Greater meetings started this year with spread opinion piece in their Manchester and District CND attending and organising a local paper about the ban treaty. CND were joined by a choir for fringe event, as well as Christian There was exciting news on a great celebration. CND. Christian CND arranged October 6th when ICAN was The global ban treaty is a successful interfaith fringe announced as the winner of this particularly important in light of event at the conference in year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The the fact that no concrete Vienna, as well as attending award of this prestigious prize is disarmament progress has been meetings with state representa - a recognition of the movement made in recent years through tives including the Holy See. that has done so much to the nuclear Non-Proliferation While CND is thrilled with advance the global abolition of Treaty (NPT). The 2015 the progress made this year on nuclear weapons. ICAN – of conference to discuss the treaty securing a global ban on nuclear which CND is a partner ended with no agreement, and weapons, we remain frustrated organisation - has worked hopes are not high for the next that work continues on building tirelessly over the last few years one in 2020. Preparatory new submarines for Britain’s 8 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017

Trident should the programme more and more in larger events, be cancelled. Progress on the reaching both new and engaged latter came when the Trades audiences. Isle of Wight CND Union Congress adopted a had a stall at a meeting arranged motion calling on Labour to by Soka Gakkai International to establish a Shadow Defence promote its annual Proposal for Diversification Agency ahead of Peace for the United Nations. the next general election. Derby CND arranged Yorkshire CND celebration cupcakes CND has also called on numerous stalls at events this Labour to commit to signing year; at the Silk Mill rally, as part the global ban treaty should it of the Jo Cox commemoration win the next general election. day, at Northern Green The party has appointed a Gathering, at a vigil organised Shadow Minister for Peace and by Derby Quakers and at a Disarmament, Fabian Hamilton Derby People's Assembly film MP, and London CND held a showing. South Cheshire and public meeting in Parliament to North Staffordshire CND quiz him about this new post. held a successful stall at the London CND holds regular Stoke-on-Trent Vegan Fair. public meetings, as does Birkenhead CND had stalls at Bristol CND Crawley CND and Haringey Tranmere Festival, Birkenhead CND. The latter held meetings Flower and Veg show and West this year on the global ban, Kirby Earthfest. Fukushima and with guest Wallasey CND reports speaker Catherine West MP. receiving overwhelming support Isle of Wight CND was from the public this year, as they interviewed by a local radio continue to campaign on streets station to discuss the history of all over the Wirral. The group CND, its local work and the held a main fundraising event in St Albans CND group’s role in the campaign. Wallasey Central Park with cake Hereford Peace Council is stalls and they were also present nuclear weapons system, regularly contacted by their local at the Birkenhead Wirral in Trident. We’ve continued to radio stations for comment on Bloom show and the Wirral make the case for cancelling relevant issues. Chester CND, Earth festival. Trident’s replacement, Bedford CND and Rochdale Crawley CND ensures it’s publishing a report on how and Littleborough Peace spreading the anti-nuclear Trident does not contribute to Group are all very successful at message in their area with the UK’s security and pushing getting letters printed in their monthly leafleting sessions. for a defence diversification local papers. Hereford Peace Council agency that would work to While groups continue to chooses to produce monthly ensure that there would be arrange eye-catching street stalls posters, with peace quotes, which sufficient and high quality jobs in towns across the country, our are distributed widely. The for those working on replacing groups are getting involved group also hosts an annual quiz. 9 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Chester CND ran a session for Quakers at a weekend Arms Fair – No Nuclear Day gathering. As part of the session, CND campaigners were out in force to protest at this letters were written to Boris year’s Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI): the world’s largest arms fair. Inspired by the numerous Johnson. The group also nuclear weapons companies exhibiting at the fair, for the arranged an activity for children, first time this year an anti-nuclear-themed day had been trading leaves for arms to scheduled as part of the usual two week protest. encourage an understanding of Waves of blockaders, including from London Region proliferation. The group’s annual CND and Tower Hamlets CND, blocked the entrance stall at the Trades Council’s May to one gate for virtually the entire day. Day event promoted the global Yorkshire CND and Greater Manchester & ban treaty and highlighted the District CND took responsibility for co-ordinating the cost of Trident. blockade of another gate. All traffic was blocked in the Wimbledon Disarmament morning, as protestors locked-on in the road. Waiting trucks were then greeted by the sound of 50s calypso Coalition/CND’s year was a mix of social and political events. classic ‘Atomic Nightmare’ as protesters flooded into the road and began to dance. As well as a barn dance, pre- The co-leader gave a Christmas buffet lunch and a speech, reaffirming his party’s total opposition to Trident garden party, they arranged a and the need to move engineering skills and investments very successful Fete of the Earth away from armaments and into renewable energy raising over £2000. They also technologies. arranged stalls at Mitcham Kingston Peace Council/CND, Salisbury CND and Carnival, Morden Family Fun Chester CND joined the protests. East Lancashire Day and a UNA car boot sale; CND made an effort to explain the action to one of the all an opportunity to collect drivers and then followed up with a letter to the signatures for the Trident company asking them not to accept contracts to make petition. As the group says, deliveries at DSEI again. networking is what it’s all about! The previous day at the arms fair, Christian CND had taken part in the ‘No Faith in War’ day. Tower Hamlets CND member Jill Truman’s play set in Greenham Common in the become such a tradition that it is Trident and arranging both a 1980s – ‘Common Women’ had always opened officially by the library exhibition and a poster a public read-through in Town Mayor. CND has a quite parade. Wimbledon, and the group high profile in the area, mainly Exeter CND had a good joined in, along with due to the regular peace stall. year. The group once again took Wimbledon Disarmament Even the street name slung part in a number of major Coalition/CND. over Causewayhead where the community events and festivals Penzance CND has had a stall is located is decorated with such as Respect, the Green Fair number of local demonstra tions white doves. and Christmas Without Cruelty. and also attends other local St Albans CND worked on Exeter CND organised a rallies. The group also organised establishing a strong web successful Music for Peace the Penzance Peace Fest for the presence this year, as well as concert with over fifty sixteenth year, which has now regularly leafleting against musicians, poets and singers 10 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017

Election 2017 In an announcement that surprised many, Prime Minister called a General Election for Thursday, June 8th. Trident was one of the first topics to hit the election headlines as (then) Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, said in an interview that the government was prepared to start a nuclear war with a first strike. CND asked candidates for their views on Trident replacement, the UN nuclear ban and new nuclear power stations during the campaign, creating a comprehensive election resource. Our supporters were able to contact Neil Terry Photography those standing in their area through the CND website and see what responses others have received on these key issues. Greater Manchester & District CND was just one group who helped us build this resource by contacting their local candidates. We then publicised the candidates’ responses to ensure people could make an informed decision before casting their ballot. (Above) DSEI protests Bath CND held lively election hustings to discuss ‘Promoting Security in an Uncertain World’. Once the election had been concluded, many CND groups, including Birkenhead CND, Isle of Wight CND, Crawley CND and Wimbledon Disarmament Coalition/CND arranged meetings with their MPs. Wimbledon Disarmament Coalition/CND also arranged a public meeting to discuss the 'Trident Debate after the General Election'. Derby CND had a wide-ranging discussion with their MP, with subjects such as North Korea and defence diversification coming up in the meeting.

East Lancashire CND Bath CND continues to run distributed leaflets with their a stall in front of Bath Abbey Town Crier. The group had an each Saturday, attracting a (Above) Exeter CND and Chester CND information stall and ran a steady stream of locals and workshop at a Schools’ tourists to support CND’s and, for the first time, they Sustainability Conference, which campaigns. Their attractive organised a community was a good opportunity to talk CND banner generally exhibition of art and poetry for to teachers and engage with encourages passers-by to engage peace. The group’s peace shop young people. East Lancashire in discussion, even if they do celebrated 25 years in its current CND organised a well-attended not share our views! Bath CND location this year. And the top public meeting with Keep East also organised a lively and selling item? Knitted Jeremy Lancashire Frack Free to discuss thoughtful Sixth Form Peace Corbyn dolls! the nuclear waste problem. Conference in conjunction with 11 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Bath UNA, attended by 60 students. NHS not Trident CND groups including Bristol CND organised a Greater Manchester & Welfare not Warfare bloc at the District CND and Bristol End Austerity march Merseyside CND joined and also had a stall at Veg Fest the NHS not Trident bloc at selling vegan biscuits and the ‘It’s our NHS’ march in gathering many signatures for London, protesting against CND’s petition. Their secret further cuts in our health weapons were their home-made service. Rochdale and vegan CND biscuits which were Littleborough Peace very popular. Group were there wearing builders’ helmets inscribed Rochdale and with ‘build hospitals not bombs’. Bromley and Littleborough Peace Group Beckenham CND made the front page of the Bromley has been busy, with regular Times with their attendance! GMDCND organised the lively CND bloc at the Tory Party meetings, street stalls and fund- Conference protest this year. Merseyside CND, raising at local festivals. Wallasey CND, South Cheshire and North Members of the group were Staffordshire CND and Rochdale and also active in this year’s Littleborough Peace Group all attended the march and enjoyable Peace History rally in Manchester, calling on the party of government to Conference, along with Greater scrap Trident and invest in public services instead. East Manchester & District CND, Midlands CND arranged transport from Nottingham, which had an action-packed Matlock, Derby and Chesterfield so that members could 2017. Among their many join the protest. events, the group organised a ‘Jobs not Trident’ talk with a this year. Their stall at the speaker from the PCS union Norwich offered during the Manchester May Day visitors a Peace Flame candle Festival. GMDCND also while asking them how they organised non-violent direct would prefer to allocate £205 action (NVDA) training days. billion instead of replacing South Cheshire and North Trident. At another stall held at Staffordshire CND held a the annual Burston Strike School public meeting on Trident Rally, the group was delighted to which was successful in meet someone who went on the attracting new activists to the first march in 1958. group. The group also visited All East Midlands CND the Hack Green Secret Bunker groups have been very active near Nantwich, a relic of the this year. Derby CND held a Cold War. workshop with representatives Norwich CND managed to from a number of local East Lancs CND town crier collect a huge amount of campaigning groups entitled support for CND’s campaigns ‘Another World is Possible’ 12 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017

assemblies to mark the UN’s Glastonbury International Day of Peace. In After last year’s challenging total, the group spoke to around conditions, Glastonbury 4,000 children about the 2017 was a much easier importance of peace in the ride for all the CND groups world. They also celebrated on present! The national CND stalls signed up a record the day itself with a Peace Tree amount of new supporters, in Kingston Market Place - helped by our giant passers-by were encouraged to interactive map of the write a message to be hung on world, perfectly illustrating how most of the world don’t the branches. have and don’t want nuclear weapons. We were also Kent Area CND reports its delighted to meet with chart-toppers Clean Bandit who People’s Budget game on stalls wanted to lend their support for our campaign. remains as popular as ever. The Many CND groups fundraise at the festival, including Isle amount of people wanting to of Wight CND and Exeter CND. CND Cymru spend money on Trident was volunteers also spread the anti-nuclear message, as well very low, compared to the as raising valuable funds. numbers for housing and We were also delighted to be a part of a new world record as thousands of people formed the CND symbol health. The group have been at the start of the weekend. very good at updating their members with regular newsletters, which also has a about ways of campaigning Day, the Stainsby music festival regular section on ‘why I joined together; a wonderful initiative. and the Gay Pride festival. CND?’ from guest contributors. The group also participated in Leicester CND held a Peace Kent Area CND was delighted the Derby Stand up to Racism One Evening, with to take part in the UNA Service conference. entertainment, satire and a for held at Nottingham CND puppet show, raising hundreds Canterbury Cathedral as part of continues to have regular street of pounds. the procession of peace-makers. stalls at various venues around It’s been a busy year for As well as regular events, the city. Their stall at the Kingston Peace Council/ stalls and a packed-out benefit Nottingham Green Festival was CND, with one of the concert, Oxford CND particularly popular. There were highlights being the group’s remained active in monitoring also stalls at Chesterfield May programme of school nuclear convoys, as part of nukewatch. Oxford CND nukewatchers spotted and Conference photographed a broken down Thank you to the hundreds of CND supporters, peace convoy in May, highlighting the movement activists, speakers, exhibitors and staff who helped make CND’s 2017 conference the success that it danger of having these weapons was! The event was full of discussion, enthusiasm and on our roads. Nuclear convoys positivity, and was very useful in planning our next year of also remains a key issue for campaigning. Yorkshire CND. As well as members tracking convoys, 13 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Yorkshire CND organised an extremely well-attended meeting Amelia Womack, on behalf of Green CND What a year it’s been. After Trump’s on the issue. Rochdale and election last November it felt like Littleborough Peace Group the world was taking a dangerous and Lancaster District CND turn, like the years of campaigning also work with nukewatch. for a nuclear peace were about to Lancaster District CND is also be undone. working with local councillors But we were – thankfully - wrong. In and the local MP, Cat Smith, to actual fact what has happened is challenge the preparedness of that the global movement to abolish authorities to deal with nuclear nuclear weapons was further transport emergencies. The energised and galvanized by the group had letters and articles threat that Trump seemed to pose. published in the local press on And I am proud that the Green Party has been at the heart of that. Our commitment to disarmament is one of our the subject. greatest legacies and something that we cherish until the is Merseyside CND day when we are free from nukes. delighted with the over - Our co-leader MP attended this summer’s whelmingly positive response negotiations for a ban on nuclear weapons and lobbied this year to their Stop Trident hard in parliament for the prime minister to send a stalls; the group’s membership delegate willing to engage with what were historic has continued to rise and negotiations. During the general election we raised nuclear hundreds of new supporters disarmament up the political agenda, urging the have got involved with the government to scrap Trident and use the money to instead campaign. The group invest in the NHS. contributed material to the We’ve been saying for some time that we were on the ‘Liverpool: A City of Protest’, as verge of a major change in the fortunes for nuclear disarmament. I think that this year we witnessed that an integral part of the change. I’m proud that Greens have played their part in Merseyside Peace Network. what has happened these last 12 months and will Abingdon Peace Group continue to play our part as the ban on nuclear weapons ensures their local area gets the takes effect. news the mainstream media ignores by producing a news - letter which is distributed widely books, but was also a platform members joined on the day. in person and online. The group to show how CND stands up Exeter CND’s partnership with attended Levellers Day and against the huge dangers posed the student CND group at Faringdon Peace Fete, and by nuclear weapons. Exeter University continues to raised funds with a jumble sale. Youth and Student CND flourish; one of many groups It’s been a busy and arranged a fantastic workshop taking steps to engage with their successful year for Sydenham day, with useful sessions on local campuses. and Forest Hill CND. Their press work and using research London Region CND’s annual Spring Plant Fair was an skills to campaign, as well as year began with arranging a tour excellent opportunity to buy film showings and a chance to of the UK for two Japanese some wonderful plants and plan for the future. Many new atomic bomb survivors –a 14 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017 dramatic reminder of why we campaign against all nuclear Trade union campaigning weapons everywhere. The guests CND, including Labour CND, has visited Scotland, Manchester and long called on the Labour Party to establish a ‘Shadow’ Defence Oxford, as well as London, Diversification Agency whilst in meeting faith leaders and opposition, to research ways to politicians, including Scotland’s secure high and stable levels of First Minister , employment for those communities and addressing public meetings. and sectors affected by the nuclear Greater Manchester & disarmament necessary to bring District CND was delighted to about a nuclear free Britain and host the Hibakusha at large nuclear-free world. meetings in Manchester, Salford Now the Trades Union Congress has endorsed this and Oldham. proposal at its 2017 congress, adopting a motion Many CND groups, pointing out the steps necessary to establish such an Agency and urging trade unions to assist with its work. including Salisbury CND, In another victory for CND trade union work, South took the opportunity this year Cheshire and North Staffordshire CND’s to view some of CND’s history secretary, Jason Hill, successfully seconded an anti-Trident at the ‘People Power – Fighting motion at the Musicians’ Union conference: it was passed for Peace’ exhibition at the unanimously. CND will now contact the union about Imperial War Museum in further ways we can campaign together. London. 300 artefacts and CND continues to attend trade union conferences, this artworks told the history of the year with the kind help of Crawley CND, who sent anti-war movement in Britain, volunteers to help at some of our stalls. including the founding of CND, the camp at Greenham Common and even a wall second one simply calling for a The Shadow Minister for devoted to our 2016 Stop Labour government to sign up Peace and Disarmament is Trident demonstration. to the new global ban treaty. But sympathetic and supportive of Hearteningly, when CND staff despite the developments at the the new ban treaty. Other front visited the exhibition, we were UN and on the Korean benchers are failing to express confronted with a teenager in Peninsula, neither motion was the support we would want for the gift shop demanding to deemed by the outgoing a Labour Government to sign know when our next protest Conference Arrangements the treaty, and more awareness would be, so that she could Committee to be sufficiently raising is needed within the come along! ‘contemporary’! party generally, on the existence Labour CND circulated two Labour CND supported and implications of the new model motions for the Labour CND’s well-attended Treaty. Party’s 2017 annual conference. conference fringe meeting with Labour CND will continue Both noted rising tensions Fabian Hamilton, Diane Abbott to work on this into 2018, as around the Korean Peninsula, and others. Labour CND had well as on our campaign for a with one focused on the its own conference newsletter Shadow Defence Diversification demand to scrap Trident and a for distribution. Agency. 15 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

HILE President Party where they also invited Trump used guests to the CND stall to Nagasaki Day to fold a paper crane and hang it Wthreaten North Korea with ‘fire in a tree. Bedford CND at the bandstand Abingdon CND and fury like the world has Hereford Peace Council never seen’, CND used the held an event with local 72nd anniversary of the US dignitaries, while Chester atomic bomb attacks on two CND’s memorial took place at Japanese cities to remember the the riverside, with songs, hundreds of thousands of poetry, readings and white people who died. flowers cast into the water. Tower Hamlets CND London Region CND Wimbledon Disarmament expanded its commemora tions Coalition/CND were joined this year, adding a film festival by speakers and performers as and a public meeting to their they floated paper lanterns on East Midlands CND annual Tavistock Square rally. Rushmere pond. Bromley and Lancaster District CND Beckenham CND gathered in floated lanterns on the Kent the centre of Bromley for a Estuary. vigil and a silent march. Salisbury CND’s annual Bedford CND hung a 23 Tavistock Peace Action Group candle float on the River Avon foot banner on the town was well attended and covered bandstand and remembered by a local Salisbury television Hiroshima with music and station. A video of the event readings, before holding hands was also viewed by thousands around a large CND symbol of people on a local news made with lights. As well as a Yorkshire CND in Bradford website. street stall, Leicester CND’s South Cheshire and Lancaster District CND gathering and also North Staffordshire CND featured in the press. organised a vigil outside Stoke Isle of Wight CND asked Minster, with many passing supporters and passers-by to motorists tooting in support. write personal messages which Abingdon Peace Group was were attached to a string of another group to arrange an doves hanging from the Peace exhibition around the Tree in Newport. Bath CND anniversary, as well as a vigil. hung messages from a peace Norwich CND joined a tree as well. Bristol CND peace vigil and picnic in remembered Hiroshima at remembrance of the victims of SCANS at Stoke Minster Salisbury CND their local Amnesty Garden Hiroshima, while Nottingham 16 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017

CND’s vigil was complimented with an exhibition of Hiroshima and Nagasaki archive photos in St Peter’s Church for a week. Merseyside CND The church held a collection, generously allocated to Abingdon CND Nottingham CND’s work. Derby CND joined the rest of East Midlands CND and supporters from neighbouring regions at a Nagasaki day vigil Paper lanterns in Wimbledon at the Rolls-Royce Trident factory in Derby. Tavistock Peace Action Group set up stall in Bedford Square and gathered many signatures for the Scrap Trident petition. More than 40 people – East Midlands CND Hereford Peace Council including from London’s Japanese community and the Mayor – gathered with Kingston Peace Council/ - CND to float lanterns and observe a minute’s silence. Oxford CND Merseyside CND was also joined by their local Lord Mayor, for music and wreath laying. The Tower Hamlets Yorkshire CND in Bradford Executive Mayor is also supportive, sending a message of support to Tower Hamlets CND. Yorkshire CND marked the anniversary across their Mayor of Liverpool lays a wreath region with events in Sheffield, Leeds, Keighley and Hebden Bridge. Other groups, including Haringey CND, St Albans CND and Crawley CND marked the anniversary with public events, stalls and Salisbury CND LRCND Hibakusha tour leafletting. 17 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT The election of Trump HE world was shocked Outside the US Embassy in April when Donald Trump was inaugurated TPresident of the United States in January 2017. That a racist, homophobic, misogynistic candidate prone to outbursts could become arguably the most powerful person in the world heralded exceptionally dangerous times ahead. And his behaviour over the past twelve months has confirmed all predictions. CND arranged and joined Trump inauguration protest at the USAF base in Croughton numerous demonstrations against Trump and his nuclear war drive throughout the year, as part of the network of campaigns and people protesting against the US President. On inauguration day, CND was outside the US Air Force base in Croughton , to discuss the Embassy in London with our with a Build Bridges Not Walls ‘age of Trump’. very own Donald Trump banner. Abingdon Peace CND called for an end to impersonator, complete with Group also took part in a the so-called ‘Special Relation - his nuclear football, who got a Bridges Not Walls ship’ between the US and UK – lot of attention from media demonstration. particularly its nuclear outlets present. Bristol CND, Rochdale elements – ahead of Theresa Tower Hamlets CND’s and Littleborough Peace May’s meeting with Trump; it secretary, Stephanie Clark, was Group, Merseyside CND and has never been more important quoted by The Washington Press Greater Manchester & to break out of this potentially in their report of the protest, District CND were just some catastrophic nuclear collabora - reporting her fears on the of the groups represented at tion. We held a protest outside implications for nuclear other anti-Trump rallies across the US Embassy in April to weapons and climate change. the country. demand an end to Trump’s Oxford CND marked Bath CND arranged a nuclear war drive, as nuclear Trump’s inauguration outside public meeting with former war became more likely than the (very cold!) United States leader of the Green Party, for decades. 18 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017 The Korea crisis HE election of Donald Trump as US President has been catastrophic Tfor many people, not least those living on the Korean peninsula. While Pyongyang has been developing its nuclear pro - gramme for years, this year has seen a huge increase in tension. In September, North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful-to-date nuclear test. Its missiles are now believed to be able to reach US territory and At the Downing Street rally in September experts think that the regime has the technical ability to fit a war - head onto one of those missiles. Talks have been stalled for years, but Trump seems to be taking a novel approach to diplomacy as he called North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ‘short and fat’ in a tweet. When Trump threatened the country with ‘fire and fury’ in August, it marked a high point in the crisis. London Region CND with members of the peace delegation CND led a delegation of journalists, writers and peace the crisis through negoti a tions Manchester. Norwich CND activists to the United States rather than military methods. held a joint public meeting Embassy in response, though a London Region CND was with Stop the War, with guest letter calling on the US govern - also active, arranging a public speakers talking about the ment to stop its nuclear brink - meeting and joining protests, situation. Nottingham CND manship in the crisis with North calling for dialogue not war. arranged a public meeting on Korea was rejected. In They also met a peace delegation ‘The Korean Crisis and its September we organised a rally from South Korea twice to implications’, as well as an outside Downing Street, joined receive updates on the situation. emergency meeting in by groups including Chester Greater Manchester & September, which was very CND, calling on the Prime District CND organised talks well-attended despite the short Minister Theresa May to resolve about the crisis across Greater notice. 19 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT No to NATO 017 saw NATO attended a large demonstration continuing to expand, outside the summit and helped both in members and its organise counter-events. sphere2 of influence. Montenegro Leicester CND included a was confirmed as the alliance’s discussion on NATO after 29th member in June and the sharing. A new terrorism Trump in their annual general NATO summit in Brussels in intelligence cell will be meeting. May focussed on increasing established at NATO The next NATO summit will NATO’s role in the fight headquarters, and a NATO also take place in Brussels, in July against terrorism. The alliance coordinator appointed. 2018, and CND will once again launched an action plan at the CND, including members be present and play a role in the meeting, pledging more air from Rochdale and organisation through the No to support and more information- Littleborough Peace Group, NATO network. No to missile defence HE newly established Menwith Hill Accounta - bility Campaign now leadsT on campaigning against American bases and missile defence sites in the UK, with continued support from Yorkshire CND. Both organisations worked together on the Independence From America demonstration. East Lancashire CND supported this protest, even taking the opportunity to debate with RAF Squadron Leader Geoff Dickson. Rochdale and Little borough, Greater Yorkshire CND at Menwith Hill Manchester & District CND and Oxford CND were all instrumental in organising CND and Abingdon Peace present as well. events during Keep Space for Group, who joined the march Yorkshire CND was also Peace Week, as was Oxford and rally during the week. 20 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017 No to war N recent years, it seems that Remembrance Day has become more and more Ipolitical, with the question of whether one decides to wear a poppy, and which colour poppy, now extremely controversial. Chesterfield CND had expected to take part in their local Remembrance Day service East Midlands CND, Bromley by laying a white poppy wreath and Beckenham CND, Isle of as in previous years, but this Wight CND, Merseyside CND year the Borough Council refused permission. This did passers-by if they would prefer East Lancashire CND lead to several supportive their money to be spent on supported the trial of Sam articles and letters in the press. education, health, combatting Walton and Dan Woodhouse, Wimbledon Disarmament climate change or defence. The who took action to disarm war Coalition/CND was able to lay latter received very few votes. planes bound for Saudi Arabia a mixed red and white poppy Hereford Peace Council and was delighted when they wreath as part of their municipal was also very active in other were found not guilty. Remembrance Day ceremony. anti-war events. They were Kingston Peace Council/ - Penzance CND distributed joined by circle dancers to cele - CND arranged a public meeting white poppies, as did Notting - brate the International Day of on the campaign against arming ham CND. The profit from Peace, in what was a mem orable Saudi Arabia and hosted a Nottingham’s poppies was occasion. Members of the group public screening of ‘The donated to UNICEF for victims also protested at the Courtyard, Shadow World’, a documentary of war in Yemen. Leicester Hereford’s centre for the arts, on the international arms trade. CND was asked by its local The when the Defence and Security Rochdale and Little - Coop shop to sell white poppies Exposition was held there. borough Peace Group at a Coop-sponsored event with Penzance CND and attended a meeting of the takings being donated to Oxford CND marked International Coalition to Ban Médecins Sans Frontières. Conscientious Objectors’ Day. Uranium Weapons in Belgium, CND marked the Global Chesterfield’s Heritage Lottery- to discuss the future of the Day of Action on Military funded project on conscientious campaign. East Midlands Spending in April. Wallasey objectors has resulted in CND joined the demonstration CND and Merseyside CND teaching materials, a book and against drones at RAF arranged street stalls and an exhibition which is being Waddington; they were also at leafletting sessions. Hereford displayed in local libraries the base for Keep Space for Peace Council’s stall asked around Derbyshire until 2018. Peace Week in October. 21 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT Nuclear power 017 was not a great year on the problems associated with for the nuclear power nuclear power, and the after - industry. After a series of noon discussed the benefits of financial2 problems, plans for renewable energy. Our groups new nuclear reactors at were also active in campaigning Moorside Project were put on against nuclear power. indefinite hold in May, as the Exeter CND arranged street company behind the venture – stalls against the building of NuGen – announced it would Hinkley C throughout the year, be conducting a strategic review. often featuring their new choir Parliament’s Public Accounts Peace Voices. Committee and the National The Fukushima anniversary Audit Office have criticised the was commemorated with Hinkley C deal for being bad various events, including a value for money, while the march from the Japanese company behind a new power Embassy to Downing Street, at station at the Wylfa site in which CND and groups such as North is yet to agree on Bromley and Beckenham terms with the government. CND were present. Rochdale These serious problems and Little borough Peace reflect the declining fortunes of Group supported a local event nuclear power at the same time to mark the anniversary, raising that the production of renew - Lancaster District CND funds for the child victims of the ables is soaring: there were days catastrophe. over the summer when solar sustainable, quicker and cheaper Sydenham and Forest Hill panels produced more electricity than nuclear. In June, we hosted CND raised over £500 for the than Britain’s eight nuclear a successful and significant anti- Chernobyl Children’s Project power stations for the first time. nuclear power conference, ‘No which provides recuperative Public support for nuclear is also Need for Nuclear: The holidays for children, many of waning: the latest govern ment Renewables are Here’, to whom have life limiting illnesses survey showed only 33% of highlight this message. due to the Chernobyl disaster. people support nuclear energy, With over 150 attendees of Lancaster District CND with 82% in favour of all ages (including groups such has been actively supporting renewables. as Rochdale and Little - Radiation Free Lakeland, CND has continued to insist borough Peace Group), and notably at a demonstration in that renewable energy can and 17 speakers including academics, Bowness on Windermere, while should replace nuclear energy MPs and activists, the Merseyside CND attended a production. Renewable energy is conference was a great success. seminar on the legacy of nuclear safer, healthier, more The morning focused primarily power. 22 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017 CND in the media N JANUARY, a major the day in September when the story hit the headlines: global ban treaty opened for Number 10 covered-up a signature, faith leaders, MPs and Ifailed Trident missile test ahead trades unionists called on the of the Parliamentary vote on government to avert Trident replacement in 2016. catastrophe by signing up. ‘The Our response, carried by the opportunity is there; the UK must BBC and ITV, said it called into seize it and work to make a success of question ‘the legitimacy of the it. The alternative is spiralling nuclear Parliamentary vote on Trident prolifera tion, massively increased replacement that took place in danger and inevitable annihilation.’ July 2016. MPs should have A letter by Kate Hudson, been told about the safety and CND’s general secretary, said reliability issues with the Trident we must ramp up protest if we Delegation at no 10: The system before they committed government must now sign are to avoid nuclear war. ‘Britain to spending £205 billion on a up to the Treaty must rule out joining military exercises new version of the same on the Korean peninsula, and support technology.’ calls for the resumption of the six- Also at the beginning of 15,000 people gathered to form party talks. The demands of our 2017, Donald Trump began his a human CND symbol, which movement are not naive, utopian belligerent approach on the was described in dozens of slogans. They are urgent and necessary world stage, stoking the fires of media outlets as a ‘world record’. actions that our politicians must heed a nuclear arms race when he In August, the prospects for if our species is to survive.’ suggested more countries a nuclear war intensified after In October, the news that should acquire them. Trump said North Korea would ICAN had won the Nobel Of the many protests CND be met with ‘fire and fury’. Peace Prize brought the issue took part in in 2017, one in CND Vice-President Bruce of the nuclear ban treaty into particular caught the imagination Kent gave a powerful the mainstream. CND of press photographers. In April performance on BBC 1’s conducted interviews for Al we held a protest outside the US Sunday Morning Live. ‘[The US Jazeera and BBC Five Live, Embassy demanding an end to and North Korea] are both risking and we wrote articles for the Trump’s Nuclear War Drive. national suicide by what they’re doing. and The Our visual stunt – a man They’re not protecting anything. Independent. We said the dressed as Trump holding the Nuclear weapons are many times more ‘decision of the Nobel committee to ‘nuclear football’ (the control powerful than the ones that destroyed support those who are struggling for codes to the nuclear weapons) – Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We’re on more co-operation and less featured in newspapers across the edge of catastrophe if we don’t find confronta tion, defied the sordid logic the world. another way of resolving this conflict.’ of our present world leaders who In June at Glastonbury, In a letter to on appear to be hell bent on war.’ 23 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT Parliament and parties HILE 2017 will be the global ban treaty has been remembered as the secured as of yet, it has been year that Theresa raised in Parliament throughout WMay’s General Election gamble the year. went wrong, there has been In March, as part of our plenty of CND activity in Global Ban Day of Action, parliament and within political CND was joined by MPs to parties throughout the year. hand in your postcards to the Parliamentary CND has Foreign Office, calling on the regularly met, working on a government to support the cross-party basis to raise issues treaty. This Day of Action also relating to Trident replacement Shadow Minister David Drew MP included a well-attended lobby and the global nuclear ban drops in to sign the parlia- of Parliament, attended by treaty. Chair Caroline Lucas MP mentary nuclear ban pledge groups including Bath CND travelled to New York to take and Merseyside CND. party in the second round of CND was quick to build a Efforts to change Labour negotiations in June. Guest database of candidates across Party policy have been speakers have also been a the country with thousands of ongoing throughout the year. regular feature of the meetings CND members calling on The long-awaited Defence with MPs welcoming expert candidates to back the global Review remains unpublished, knowledge on a range of issues. ban, support the cancellation of and the manifesto at the We started the year working Trident replacement and an General Election again with colleagues in the Liberal end to nuclear power. We were committed Labour to Trident Democrats prior to a vote at pleased to see continued replacement. their Spring Conference on commitments to oppose Throughout the campaign, nuclear weapons policy. Ahead Trident replacement from the leader Jeremy Corbyn was of the meeting CND Chair SNP, , the Green pressed on whether he would Dave Webb addressed a packed Party and SDLP. be prepared to ‘press the fringe meeting. Despite strong As a result of the election nuclear button’. Ahead of grassroots support to move to there are now a number of Party Conference, local an anti-Trident replacement MPs who have already begun Labour parties passed a motion policy, delegates backed the to work with CND on these calling for the ban treaty to be leadership position to advocate issues. We were however supported, but the party’s for three submarines but disappointed to lose colleagues conference committee blocked moving away from the from Parliamentary CND a debate. continuous at sea posture. including Vice-Chairs Kirsten Despite this CND held a The Prime Minister’s Oswald and Mark Durkan, successful fringe meeting and decision to call a snap election both of whom lost their seats. received support throughout was a surprise to many, but Whilst no specific debate on the week on our stand. 24 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017 What we do, in a nutshell What is peace? Do nuclear weapons make the world more safe, or less? Has CND been successful? These are some of the questions that CND’s Peace Education team gets thousands of school students across England to explore each year.

2017

The academic year 2016-17 was School Speaker Richard at Seven Kings School, London very successful for us, with more sessions delivered despite The feedback we received feedback remained fantastic: several transitions: we said was consistent with previous 100% found the sessions ‘Very’ goodbye to both the Peace years, in other words excellent! or ‘Extremely’ engaging, and Education Officer Jac Bastian 85% of students said our session 85% said they’d like us to and many of our School was ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ deliver another. Speaker volunteers, and good/engaging, and 94% would welcomed the new Peace like us back to deliver another Our teaching resources Education Officer Owen session. 92% of their teachers As well as publishing new Everett, and ten new School said the session was ‘very’ or editions of our two most- Speakers, including from ‘mostly’ engaging, 91% would popular teaching packs – The Merseyside CND. be interested in us returning, Bomb Factor and Under Pressure – Another unique aspect of the and 100% would recommend us we released a new pack, Dial M year was the far greater sense to colleagues. For Missile, which got a fantastic among students and teachers of We continued to promote review in Teach Secondary the relevance of the sessions, our work at education magazine. Four of our resources given current nuclear tensions – conferences, in the education have ‘Times Education particularly between North press, and on social media. In Supplement Picks’ status, and Korea and the US. addition, we held a refresher two of our packs have the training day to help keep School Association for Citizenship Our school sessions Speakers up-to-date. Teaching Quality Mark. We encountered around 4000 We also delivered our free students through 56 sessions in teacher training sessions on how Find out more! 50 schools and colleges –a best to explore controversial To browse/download our slight increase compared to the issues in the classroom to teaching packs, go to year before. around 160 teachers. The www.cnduk.org/education. 25 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT Fundraising Supporting CND BIG THANK YOU to all CND members, supporters, and everyoneA else who has donated, marched, and helped spread the word in the last 12 months, to help move us further towards a world without nuclear weapons. And a big welcome to our 900 new members! Everyone’s support has been crucial during a year which presented grave views of the majority of the UK and strengthening our network. challenges and yet great global public who oppose nuclear We have free materials available progress too. weapons. It’s vital that we to help explain the issues, as In February members and continue to work with the well as membership leaflets for supporters donated £1,500 to international community if we anyone you think might be fund a large CND bloc at the are to succeed, so thank you interested in joining. NHS demo. Two newspaper very much if you were able to Alternatively you can direct adverts were fully funded by donate. people to our website: donors this year – one in March cnduk.org/join. publicising the UN’s Merchandise negotiations on a global nuclear We have a new range of print- Legacy giving weapons ban and another in on-demand campaigning T- We are incredibly grateful to September calling on govern - shirts, available at everyone who has pledged a ment to sign the resulting ban cnduk.teemill.co.uk. From gift in their Will to CND. By treaty. Together we managed to Books not Bombs sweatshirts to doing the same you can extend reach 150,000 people this way Give Peace a Chance tote bags, your support for the campaign, with our message that every purchase is a great way of potentially for decades, and supporting the global ban treaty raising the profile of the help future generations live free should be a priority for our campaign and supporting CND from the horrendous threat government and for all other financially. that nuclear weapons pose. nuclear weapons states. You can call us on 0207 700 A massive £26,000 was How else to help 2393 or visit cnduk.org/legacies raised in the run up to the Get social – speaking to people for information about how to second part of the UN’s nuclear you know about nuclear do this. ban conference beginning in weapons and about this vital Once again a massive thank June. CND delegates were able campaign that you’re a part of, is you for being part of this to travel there and represent the one of the best ways of growing campaign. 26 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017 The next steps 2018 will be CND’s 60th anniversary year. For us it is an opportunity to celebrate our history and our contribution to the campaign for a nuclear weapons-free world, not least the global ban treaty agreed at the UN this year. But of course, we will not be satisfied until there will be no need for us! That is why we are using our anniversary year to raise the profile of nuclear disarmament and talk to more people than ever before about why we should get rid 1958–2018 of Trident and sign up to the ban treaty. 6

NE of the events we came with this magazine, phone information will be published in have planned is a us on 0207 700 2393 or donate early 2018! tour of the country online at CND’s membership withO a CND art installation, cnduk.org/SupportCNDAt60 continues to increase and new with planned stops including We also have plans for an groups continue to form. AWE Aldermaston, Bristol exhibition looking at the people Preston CND is launching in Suspension Bridge, the White who have made CND what it is, January and London CND is in Cliffs of Dover and Cardiff. The and we’re also busy collecting discussions to get three new intention is to grab people’s images of artefacts and groups off the ground. A new attention to start a discussion memories symbolising CND’s CND group will launch soon in about why we should get rid of history. There will also be a Oldham, and Bury Peace Group nuclear weapons. If you can cultural evening planned and is being revived. help towards the cost of this Kate Hudson’s book about CND will continue to call on national tour please send us a CND’s history will be updated the UK government to sign the donation using the form that and re-published. Full UN’s global ban treaty. A nuclear-armed state can sign the Join us in Bristol for CND Conference on 20th and 21st treaty provided it submits a October 2018. The weekend will include the AGM and transition plan for disarma ment. policy conference for members and observers, as well as a We are working with a range of day of public discussion, debate and activity. experts to draft a suggested transition plan for the 9th July: Deadline for nominations for directly-elected members of national council and national officers. government. 31st July: Deadline for ordinary resolutions. 2017 has seen progress in our 10th September: Deadline for amendments and campaign; let’s build on this in special (constitutional) resolutions. 2018 and get ever closer to a world without nuclear weapons. 27 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT CND Cymru OST of our nuclear weapon campaigning this year has been Mfocused on the global ban. Although lobbying, letter writing, updating campaign materials and petitioning isn’t very glamourous, it’s all very necessary work! This work continues into 2018 as we try to get as many Welsh politicians as possible to sign a Parliamentary At the Eisteddfod Pledge in support of the treaty. Many CND Cymru We were delighted to host members took part in protests Lis Fields’ ‘Fukushima – Cymru’ against the Defence Procure - photographic exhibition on ment, Research, Technology & Anglesey for most of August, Exportability (DPRTE) arms and subsequently in Caernarfon. fair in Cardiff. Other venues are being On the anniversary of the investigated for 2018. Fukushima disaster, we The end of the year had us participated in an all-Wales anti- campaigning against EDF’s plan nuclear conference in to dredge up the contaminated Aberystwyth. The large audience mud that the outflow pipes was informed of a series of from Hinkley Point A and B minor accidents at Hinkley have been depositing in Point nuclear power stations Bridgewater Bay for over 50 from a former employee, while afternoons with popular years, and then re-dump the speakers from Austria and the musicians performing to attract mud off Cardiff Bay! We took United States helped to place a crowd. During the Eisteddfod, part in several television and our campaigning in the we were visited by longstanding radio items, arranged a very international context. friends and supporters from the successful petition on the Welsh In August, the National London Japanese community. Assembly website and secured Eisteddfod on Anglesey gave us The visitors, one – Shigeo –in questions on the Assembly and PAWB (People Against his formal black Japanese floor. At the very least, EDF Wylfa B) a platform to archery attire, generated much and the Welsh Government will campaign against the proposed interest, especially on a march now know that what they are Wylfa B nuclear power station. around the festival site preceded doing is being very carefully We arranged slots most by one of our banners. watched. 28 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017 Scottish CND COTTISH CND is currently working in a number of areas to promoteS the case for getting rid of nuclear weapons from our country and our world. We continue to be part of the Scrap Trident Coalition where we work with a number of organisations in the peace movement to campaign against Trident replacement. As part of the coalition, we are involved in public meetings, media work and street stalls. We continue to be part of the Scottish Peace Network which makes the case CND has participated at for using a peaceful, non-violent Party approach to resolving inter - conference fringe meetings national tensions. We support recently and there may be justice issues. the various activities of the support for setting up a Scottish Scottish CND also produces network, including a monthly Labour CND network. a magazine on a regular basis. vigil in Glasgow. The education work of We have also established regular Scottish CND was very Scottish CND is now being stalls at music festivals up and pleased to send a delegation to progressed by a charity called down Scotland. the United Nations conference Peace Education Scotland. The We hosted a Hibakusha visit in July, where the global nuclear charity has secured funding and one of the highlights of that ban was agreed. from the Joseph Rowntree visit was a meeting with the First We have set up a Scottish Trust to organise a Peace Minister. The Hibakusha also CND trade union network and Academy Project in the summer visited the Faslane Peace Camp we also work across the political of 2018. This project is focussed where a gathering was held. spectrum to ensure that the case on helping young people Our local group network against nuclear weapons is develop skills in area such as remains strong and we were heard. There is an active SNP public speaking and knowledge pleased to see the revival of CND network and there are of current affairs. The Peace Helensburgh CND during 2017, some encouraging signs that Academy will also provide an while three new groups were set there is a possibility of a similar insight into the role of non- up: Highland CND, Arran network being set up within the governmental organisations in CND and Dumfries & Scottish Green Party. Scottish campaigning on peace and Galloway CND. 29 CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT CND personnel Officers: Chair: Dave Webb; Vice-Chairs: Daniel Blaney, Carol Turner, Hannah Tweddell; Treasurer: Linda Hugl; General Secretary: Kate Hudson.

Vice-Presidents: Pat Arrowsmith, Jeremy Corbyn MP, John Cox, Rebecca Johnson, Bruce Kent, Caroline Lucas MP, Air Commodore Alastair Mackie CBE DFC, , Canon Paul Oestreicher, .

CND National Council: Directly elected: Adam Beese, Sophie Bolt, Jenny Clegg, Roslyn Cook, Tom Cuthbert, Dr Ian Fairlie, Lis Fields, Rik Garfit-Mottram, Philip Gilligan, Anna Liddle, Tom Unterrainer, Katy West. Nations, regions and areas: CND Cymru – Sonia Klein, Duncan Rees, Linda Rogers; East Midlands – Diane Lunzer, Lesley Matthews, Viv Ring; Kent Area CND – Wendy Rumsey; London Region – David Leal, Isobel McHarg, Hannah Kemp- Welch; North West (Greater Manchester) – Gerard Collier; North West (Merseyside) – Peter Wilson; North West (South Cheshire & North Staffordshire) – Owen Sloss; Northern (Cumbria and Lancashire) – Joan West; Scottish CND – Jean Anderson, Janet Fenton, Arthur West; South West (Exeter) – Tom Milburn; South West (Penzance) – Peter Le Mare; South West (Plymouth) – Michal Lovejoy; Southern (Oxford) – Nigel Day, Phil Chesterton; Yorkshire – Sylvia Boyes, Christopher Butler; Specialist sections: Youth and Student CND – Grace Newton, Jack Theaker, Mark Soames; Labour CND – George Downs; Green CND – Amelia Womack; Christian CND – Caroline Gilbert.

Staff at Holloway Road – General Secretary Kate Hudson; Campaigns Officer (Parliamentary) (until August 2017) Russell Whiting; Campaigns Officer (Parliamentary) (from October 2017) Michael Gallagher; Campaigns Officer (Research and Information) Sara Medi Jones; Press and Communications Officer Ian Chamberlain; Fundraising Officer Ilanga Preuss; Supporter Database Manager Kirsty Stewart; Finance Officer Eve Cuthbert; Membership and Fundraising Assistant (until May 2017) Jon Hosier; Membership and Fundraising Assistant (from October 2017) Laurence Gerhardt; Designer Sue Longbottom; Peace Education Officer Owen Everett; Office Manager Stephanie Garey. National, regional and specialist section – CND Cymru Jill Gough; Scottish CND Veronika Tudhope, Flavia Tudoreanu; Greater Manchester Jacqui Burke, Andrew Gibson; London Region Georgia Elander; Yorkshire Catherine Bann, Sarah Cartin, Matt Fawcett, Rachel Melly (other regional offices are run by volunteers); Christian CND Claire Poyner, Russell Whiting.

Campaign Assistants Josie Parkhouse, George Rutledge, Katie Clark, Laurence Gerhardt. Peace Education Assistants Ana Gruša Golja, Martine Lekutanoy. Volunteers at Holloway Road John Morris, Jess Muckleston, Luba Mumford, Jade Owens. The Peace Education team would also like to thank all School Speakers for their fantastic work.

In memoriam We mourn the loss of Helen John, CND vice-chair from 2001–4, an inspiration to so many. 30 CAMPAIGN REVIEW 2017 Contacts Nations Specialist sections CND Cymru For a list of local groups see: Christian CND 01792 830330 www.cnduk.org/about/contact- 020 7700 4200 [email protected] us/local-groups [email protected] www.cndcymru.org www.christiancnd.org.uk @CNDCymru @ChristianCND

Irish CND London Region CND Green CND 00 353 86 362 1220 020 7607 2302 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] @GreenCND www.irishcnd.blogspot.co.uk www.londoncnd.org Twitter: @londonregioncnd Labour CND Scottish CND Facebook: /LRCND [email protected] 0141 357 1529 www.labourcnd.org.uk [email protected] Merseyside CND @LabourCND www.banthebomb.org 0151 229 5282 @ScottishCND [email protected] Youth and Student CND www.mcnd.org.uk [email protected] @CND_Merseyside www.yscnd.org Regions @youthstudentCND Cumbria and Lancashire South Cheshire and North Area CND Staffordshire CND 01524 33991 07778 913528 / 01782 829913 Peace Camps [email protected] [email protected] Aldermaston Women’s www.scanscnd.org.uk Peace Camp East Midlands CND @SCANSCND Second weekend of every 01246 235723 month. Tel: 07946 676761 [email protected] South West Region CND [email protected] http://www.emcnd.org.uk/ 01392 431447 www.aldermaston.net Greater Manchester and [email protected] @Peace_women_AWE District CND 0161 273 8283 Southern Region CND Faslane Peace Camp [email protected] 02380 229363 / 01865 248357 Permanent. A814, Shandon, www.gmdcnd.org.uk [email protected] / Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire @GMDCND [email protected] G84 8NT Tel 01436 820901 [email protected] Kent Area CND West Midlands CND [email protected] 07804 874115 Menwith Hill 07772 471905 [email protected] Every Tuesday 6-7:30pm. www.wmcnd.org.uk For more information contact @westmidlandscnd Sarah – 01765 600928 or [email protected] Yorkshire CND 01274 730795 [email protected] yorkshirecnd.org.uk @YorkshireCND 31

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Mordechai Vanunu House • 162 Holloway Rd • London N7 8DQ Tel: 020 7700 2393 • [email protected] • www.cnduk.org twitter: @CNDuk • facebook: facebook.com/cnduk CND Company Registration 3533653