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No War! No Regime Change!

Early in the morning of Saturday 3 January, the US military led an air and land attack in and around Venezuela’s capital city Caracas and elsewhere, including on civilian targets. This resulted in the kidnap of President Nicolas Maduro, who is now held in the United States. He said in his press conference that the US intends to

President Trump claimed the Maduro government lacked legitimacy, and that the US acted to prevent drug trafficking backed by Maduro, whom Trump says will now faces charges in the US. During his press conference following the kidnap, Trump offered another ‘justification’, citing Venezuela’s nationalisation of oil assets held by US firms in 2007 by which then President Hugo Chávez consolidated state control of Venezuela’s oil industry.

At his press conference following the attack, Trump said the US will ‘run’ Venezuela until a ‘safe, proper and judicious transition’ can be ensured. US oil companies, he said, would also fix Venezuela’s broken infrastructure and ‘start making money for the country’.

Trump’s actions – in breach of international law and disregard of the United Nations Charter – have brought expressions of concern across the world, and in many cases outright condemnation. Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico hit the nail on the head with his response: ‘US military action in Venezuela is further evidence of the breakdown of the world order created after World War II.’

Britain’s response

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the UK was not involved in the attack, but refused to be drawn on the legality of the military operation and kidnap. Seeking to hedge his bets he said: ‘I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump.’

MPs, trade unionists, and other leading figures have expressed clear opposition to the attack, including CND and Stop the War. which are supporting Venezuela’s emergency online rally (details at the end of this post). You will find many of the expressions of oppositin to Trump’s attack and regime change on Labour CND’s X account. Labour Hub has also posted a round-up of comments.

Labour CND says:

    • contact your MP to speak out against Trump’s attack
    • join the emergency protests being organised against US action.

Latin American reactions

The blatant attack on Venezuelan sovereignty threatens to destabilise the region, and puts the 1967 Treaty of Tlatelolco under threat. This is a long-standing nuclear free zone agreement covering Latin America and the Caribbean, that was successfully promoted by Mexico in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile, have issued statements condemning the action, but others were cautious. An early statement from President Gustavo Petro of Colombia focused on the possible effect of military action against its neighbour, expressing ‘deep concern at reports of explosions and unusual air activity in recent hours in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as the resulting escalation of tension in the region’.

Columbia could face spillover in violence and possibly an influx of refugees. Following an emergency national security meeting, the Colombian government condemned ‘the attack on the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America, and mobilised state forces to secure the border.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar Prime Minister of Trinidad &Tobago, was swift to point out her country’s non-involvement: ‘Trinidad and Tobago is not a participant in any of these ongoing military operations. Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela.’

Brazil – President Lula Da Silva said: ‘The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line. These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community. Attacking countries in flagrant violation of international law is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.’

Uruguay – the Foreign Ministry statement said: ‘Uruguay rejects, as it always has, military intervention by one country in the territory of another and reaffirms the importance of respecting international law and the UN Charter, in particular the basic principle that States must refrain from resorting to the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.’

Chile – President Gabriel Boric said: ‘As the Government of Chile, we express our concern and condemnation of the military actions of the United States in Venezuela and call for a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country.’

International responses

A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: ‘These developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected.’

The world has divided on predictable lines over Trump’s attack on Venezuelan sovereignty, as the selection of responses below suggests. This further reinforces the view that the post-WWII settlement is rapidly disintegrating.

South Africa. The Department of International Relations said: ‘South Africa calls on the UN Security Council, the body mandated to maintain international peace and security, to urgently convene to address this situation.’

China – the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said: ‘China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president. Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it.Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region.’

Russia – the Foreign Ministry issued a statement: ‘This morning, the United States committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This is deeply concerning and condemnable. The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded. Ideological animosity has prevailed over business pragmatism and the willingness to build relationships based on trust and predictability. In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue.’

Israel – The Times of Israel reports ‘Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump and effusively praise him following the capture of Maduro. Netanyahu hailed Trump’s ‘bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice’. Netanyahu said: ‘I salute your decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers.’

Unsurprisingly, facing threats of another US military attacks, the Iran Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on Venezuela ‘as a blatant violation of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity’ and called on the UN Security Council to ‘act immediately to halt the unlawful aggression’ and hold those responsible accountable.

EU statements acquiesce in Trump’s action. Take that of European Council President Ursula Von Der Leyen: ‘Following very closely the situation in Venezuela. We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter.’ The German Foreign Ministry statement is in similar vein:

‘We call on all involved parties to avoid an escalation of the situation and to seek ways for a political settlement… International law has to be respected… Venezuelans deserve a peaceful and democratic future.’

It is important to note though, that several European countries have condemned the attack on Venezuela:

France – Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said: ‘The military operation that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro violates the principle of not resorting to force, that underpins international law. France reiterates that no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that only sovereign people themselves can decide their future.’

Austria – Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler said: ‘This attack constitutes a serious violation of the prohibition of the use of force enshrined in the UN Charter… We must uphold the international rule of law.’

Spain – the Spanish Foreign Ministry said: ‘Spain calls for de-escalation and moderation, and for action to always be taken in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.’

Slovakia – President Peter Pellegrini said ‘any attack on a sovereign state and its representative without a mandate from the United Nations Security Council constitutes a serious violation of international law regardless of the regime governing the targeted country. Such actions create a precedent that may destabilize other regions of the world as well.’

Serbia – President Aleksandar Vu?i? hoped attacks on Venezuela will cease and expressed interest in peace and diplomatic resolution amid international tensions. Escalation should be avoided and stability restored, he said.

Slovenia – Prime Minister Robert Golob said any military intervention not based on international law ‘is unacceptable and leads the world into a further spiral of war and violence,’

Belarus – A spokesperson for President Alexander Lukashenko said: ‘The President of Belarus categorically condemns the act of American aggression against Venezuela.’

Opposition within the US

    • Senator Bernie Sanders said: ‘Trump should address these major crises at home and end his illegal military adventurism abroad.’ His full statement is posted on X.
    • Newly-inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the attack as ‘an act of war and a violation of federal and international law. This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home.’
    • New York Democratic governor Kathy Hochul described the attack as ‘a flagrant abuse of power by acting without congressional approval’.
    • Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said: ‘It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world last month. It’s about oil and regime change.’
    • Congressional Progressive Caucus chair, Greg Casar wrote: ‘Trump has no right to take us to war with Venezuela. This is reckless and illegal. Congress should vote immediately on a War Powers Resolution to stop him.’

WHAT YOU CAN DO

    • Circulate the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign statement below, and visit VSC website for updates
    • Register to join the emergency online rally at 6pm on Sunday 4 January, organised by VSC, supported by CND and STW
    • If you can get to London, take part in the protest at Downing Street at 6pm on Monday 5 January, and check out protests in your locality 
    • Lobby your MP to speak out against Trump’s attack on Venezuela.
    • The Scottish TUC has opposed the attack and called on on affiliates to support the Scottish Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign. 

For more about the background to this attack, see Labour CND’s podcast, Is Trump Preparing for War? with VSC Secretary Francisco Dominguez, also available on YouTube and Spotify.

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Deputy Leader Election 2025

The Labour Party Deputy Leader election currently taking place should be an opportunity for individual members and affiliates to debate the progressive policies the government needs to take Britain forward. Unfortunately, it most definitely is not.

Labour CND regrets the anti-democratic requirement that a  candidate needs to attain 20% of nominations from the Parliamentary Labour Party before they can enter the ballot, which meant Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill failed to make it onto the ballot. It means her anti-austerity and pro-peace views are not represented in this contest.

Who’s standing?

The recent rule change which raised the ceiling for PLP support has resulted in a contest between Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson, and Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell.

Bridget Phillipson is, explicitly, the candidate of the right – speaking at the Labour First and Labour to Win fringe meetings at conference, and appearing in Labour to Win social media posts, alongside re-tweets (RTs) of her campaign and other supporting organisations such as Labour to Win and Jewish Labour Movement.

Lucy Powell was Leader of the Commons and Lord President of the Council in Keir Starmer’s government until 5 September, when she was removed from government in Starmer’s reshuffle.

What choices for peace?

Needless to say, neither of these candidates represent the policies of CND or the wider peace and anti-war movement.

Labour CND, alongside the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy and Momentum, regrets the failure of the PLP to allow party members and affiliates a meaningful policy choice in this election. As Momentum points out: ‘It is clear that neither of the two candidates on the ballot, Bridget Philipson or Lucy Powell, are committed to making the case for the progressive policies and democratic changes our Party needs to succeed.’  

Asked by supporters for advice on how members and affiliates might best use their vote in this election, CLPD is advocating for a vote for Lucy Powell. CLPD says: ‘A victory for Lucy Powell would be seen as a signal that Party members want the government to change what it is doing.’

Momentum also regards Lucy Powell as ‘clearly the candidate least associated with the leadership’. In line with its constitution, Momentum is balloting its members, with two choices:

— Momentum should not recommend a vote for either candidate, or

— Momentum should recommend a tactical vote for Lucy Powell, while making clear this is not a full endorsement

Momentum members have until midday on Tuesday 7 October to take part. If you are a Momentum member you can vote here.

Deputy Leader election timetable

The Deputy Leadership ballot opens on Wednesday 8 October, and closes on Thursday 23 October.The result will be announced on Saturday 25 October.

Both Labour Party members and affiliated trade union supporters, with at least six months continuous membership, can vote. Labour Party information on the Deputy Leadership election is available here.

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CND protest at RAF Lakenheath, 20 September

Christine Shawcroft calls for support for CND’s demonstration in opposition to Trump’s nukes in Britain, arguing we are no longer a sovereign state. Britain looks more and more like a puppet of the United States. Never forget, she warns, from Washington, no one can hear you scream.

A national demonstration outside ‘RAF’ Lakenheath in Suffolk has been called for Saturday, 20th September, against the suspected deployment of US nuclear weapons – Trump’s nukes! Actually, the title ‘USAF’ would be a more suitable name for the base, as it is run by the US Air Force and, at the moment, only hosts USAF units and personnel.

Our own government attempts to keep activities at the base shrouded in secrecy, and we only found out about the US government’s plans when campaigners saw a US Department of Defence document which included the UK on a list of nuclear weapons storage locations in Europe.

Since then, observers in July tracked a transport plane flying from the US main nuclear storage site in New Mexico to the Suffolk base, and it is believed that B61-12 nuclear bombs have now been deployed at Lakenheath. This is the first time US nukes have been stationed here since 2008. The base had previously hosted US nuclear weapons for more than 50 years, starting in 1954. Not only does the return of US weapons of mass destruction to British soil ramp up international tensions and make south east England into a target in the event of the war with Russia on which NATO seems so keen, the local community is also in danger from the risk of accidents involving the nukes.

Lakenheath has previous on this. In 1956 a B-47 bomber on a routine training mission crashed into a nuclear weapons store, killing four servicemen. Both the US and British governments tried to cover it up, but official US documents were eventually found which stated that it was a ‘miracle’ that none of the bombs exploded, and that part of eastern England could have become ‘a desert’. In 1961, a plane with a nuclear bomb on board caught fire. The bomb itself was scorched by fire, and scientific investigators found that it could easily have detonated. And those are just two accidents that we have found out about, as the governments concerned admitted them – but only in 1979 and 2003, respectively.

There may have been other serious incidents which have yet to come to light, and even more worryingly, CND has discovered that US forces have been given a blanket exemption from major safety regulations when operating in the UK. They are not legally bound to have plans to deal with emergencies involving radioactive material and nuclear weapons. Yet there are several population centres in the region which could be put in deadly danger by any accidental leaks of radiation, not to mention the risks of larger nuclear accidents.

Over 60% of British people are opposed to US nuclear weapons returning to British bases. A government which puts out documents stating that their main objective is the safety of the population and ‘national security’ should be expected to come clean about what is happening. Unfortunately, our government prefers secrecy and will neither confirm nor deny developments when campaigners attempt to shed light on the risks they are running. Needless to say there has been no debate in Parliament, and certainly no vote.

It is the definition of a sovereign country that it should have an independent foreign policy. By this measure, Britain is no longer a sovereign state and looks more and more like a puppet of the United States. Never forget – from Washington, no one can hear you scream.

* You can find information about the demonstration, including transport arrangements here.
* This article was first published in Labour Outlook

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Urge your Labour MP to nominate Bell Ribeiro-Addy for Deputy Leader

Labour CND, along with CLPD and Momentum, are calling on party members to urge their Labour MP to nominate Bell Ribeiro-Addy as a candidate for Deputy Leader. You can write to you MP using Momentum’s online email. All you have to do is enter your postcode, name and email address, and it will be forwarded to your MP.

This is urgent as there are only 2 days to do so – Tuesday 9th to Thursday 11th September. She must have 80 nominations from the PLP to get on the ballot.

Labour CND believes it’s crucial that a left wing voice is represented in the Deputy Leader contest. Bell is a principled socialist who’s unafraid to champion real Labour values, from migrants’ rights to wealth taxes. She is asking the party to examine why the Labour government is losing so much support, not to Reform UK – a false claim that’s often made – but to those parties which oppose the politics of Reform UK. If elected, she will be the first black woman Deputy Leader.

The government is spending more on warfare by shifting resources away from welfare and overcoming austerity Britain. This isn’t what Labour MPs were elected for. This agenda is losing Labour support and helping to strengthen the arguments of the far right.

We needs a progressive agenda that benefits benefit the people of Britain. We believe it’s also what the majority of party members want.

Please contact your Labour MPs today and urge them to make sure the Deputy Leadership contest is inclusive of Labour’s broad church.

Nominate Bell Ribeiro-Addy!

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Events at Labour Party Conference

Labour Party Conference is taking place later this month, and as usual Labour CND will be in Liverpool speaking to party members, MPs and others about our current campaigns. We’ll also be supporting a number of fringe meetings taking place throughout the week.

CND Fringe: Britain’s nuclear expansionism – Who pays the price?

Sunday September 28, 5.30-7pm
Chair: Sophie Bolt, CND General Secretary // Eddie Dempsey, RMT General Secretary // Asad Rehman, Chief Exec, Friends of the Earth // Bell Ribeiro Addy, Labour MP // John Foster, Advisor to the Alternative Defence Review // Dr Louise Arimatsu, Distinguished Policy Fellow, LSE // Jess Barnard, Labour NEC

Albert 3, Hilton Hotel, Liverpool Central. Refreshments will be available

Labour’s drive to raise military spending and deploy new nuclear-capable fighter jets makes the world more dangerous and our populations poorer. It worsens global security, accelerates the climate crisis, and strips funding from health, housing, education, and other essential public services. At this crucial event, we’ll draw on the Alternative Defence and Security Review to present a bold, people-first vision of security — tackling the real threats: poverty, climate breakdown, and inequality. There is a better way. Join us to demand a security policy that addresses the real challenges: poverty, climate crisis, and public health.

Palestine – the Defining Issue of Our Time

Saturday September 27, 4:30pm. In-person central Liverpool event.
Register here for full info / FB here / RT here.

With H.E. Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador // Richard Burgon MP // Kim Johnson MP // John McDonnell MP // Steve Witherden MP // Hugh Lanning, Labour & Palestine // Jess Barnard, Labour NEC // Mick Whelan, ASLEF General Secretary // Maryam Eslamdoust, TSSA General Secretary.

On the eve of Labour Conference, join us in-person in Liverpool in solidarity with the Palestinian people & discuss the next steps in building our movement. Refreshments provided including tea & coffee.

Open to all. Hosted by Labour & Palestine & part of the ‘Arise – a Festival of Left Ideas’ Solidarity Hub. Free event but solidarity donations here essential to hosting costs. Thanks to the 100s of you who donated to make this event happen.

Party Democracy – The Key to Labour’s Success in Government

Saturday, 27th September, 6.30pm, Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane, L1 3BT

Chair: Rachel Garnham Speakers: Richard Burgon MP // Bell Ribeiro Addy MP // Mick Whelan – GS ASLEF // Ruth Hayes – Labour Women’s Committee // Jean Crocker – CAC candidate // Kathy Bole – Disability Labour // Jess Barnard – NEC  :: Gemma Bolton – NEC // Delegates’ Briefing:  Rachel Garnham – CLPD Co-chair
£3 or £1 unwaged

We CAN tackle poverty & inequality – the case for universalism, the welfare state & taxing the rich

Sunday, September 28, 12:30pm, The Racquet Club Hotel, 5 Chapel Street Liverpool L3 9AG. Register here // Share on FB Here & X Here.

With Ian Byrne MP // Neil Duncan-Jordan MP // Sarah Woolley, General Secretary, BFAWU // Simon Fletcher, Political analyst & campaigner // David Wilson, DGS, NEU & Free School Meals for All // Ruth Hayes, Labour Women Leading // Gawain Little, GS, GFTU // Ellen Morrison, Labour NEC, Disabled Members’ Representative.

A vital event in the context of the cost-of-living emergency – & the campaigns around disability benefit cuts, free school meals, the Winter Fuel Allowance & the need to scrap the 2-child benefit cap. Find out about the alternatives to never-ending cuts & spiralling inequality – we CAN end poverty!

Public event – open to all. Refreshments provided. Part of the ‘Arise Solidarity Hub’ during Labour Conference 2025. Presented by ‘Arise – A Festival of Left Ideas’ & the Labour Assembly Against Austerity. All events free but contributions to the costs of hosting the ‘Arise Solidarity Hub’ here essential.

¡Viva la solidaridad! Stand with Latin America Against Trump

Monday September 29, 18.30, Ziba Bar, Racquet Club Hotel, 5 Chapel St, Liverpool L3 9AG. Register here // FB share here // RT here

With special guests from Latin America: Martina Pesce, Argentinian campaigner against the far-right // Dr. Francisco Dominguez // María Perez Ramos, MORENA supporter, Mexico.
Plus: Richard Burgon MP // Jess Barnard, Labour NEC // Louise Regan, National Education Union // Gawain Little, General Federation of Trade Unions // John McDonnell MP.

Join guests from across Latin America in solidarity – where the left is proving a better world is possible, and standing up to Trump’s militarism & xenophobia.

Refreshments provided, including wine & hot food. Public event – open to all. Presented by Arise – A Festival of Left Ideas, Labour Friends of Progressive Latin America, NSCAG, Mexico Solidarity Forum, VSC, Argentina Solidarity, Justice for Colombia, Brazil Solidarity Initiative.

With thanks to hundreds of you who donated,  Thompsons Solicitors & the National Education Union. Part of the ‘Arise Solidarity Hub‘ during Labour Conference 2025. Free event but solidarity donationshere essential to hosting costs.

Change Course – Or Face Defeat

Tuesday, 30th September, 6.30pm, Quaker Meeting House, 22 School Lane, L1 3BT

Co-Chairs: Ollie Hill Momentum/Rachel Garnham CLPD. Speakers: Jess Barnard NEC // Richard Burgon MP // Yasmin Dar NEC // Brian Leishman MP // Gemma Bolton NEC // Cllr Minesh Parekh

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‘The government is making all the wrong choices’

In an exclusive blog for CND, Diane Abbott MP argues the government is making all the wrong choices, implementing austerity whilst significantly increasing military spending. Concern is not confined to peace activists. Two national newspapers have made the link, with one ‘splashing on its front page that the government is creating a warfare state’.

Abbott’s Early Day Motion, EDM 925 says the billions spent on Trident are a waste of public funds and calls on the government to reverse plans to increase defence spending and redirect funds into public ser vices, international development and climate action. Ask your MP to sign.

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Lakenheath blockade breaks the silence on US nukes returning to Britain

Carol Turner reports on a successful blockade of Lakenheath airbase

Despite government silence, news that US nuclear weapons are returning to Britain is at last beginning to get through. CND members from across the country gathered at the main gate of Lakenheath airbase to join a blockade which marked the end of a successful two-week peace camp, organised by the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace (LAP) coalition.

Lakenheath, in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, has the biggest presence of US military forces in Britain – exposing its less than honest claim to be an RAF base. Lakenheath hosts the US Airforce 48th Fighter Wing, tasked with providing ‘worldwide responsive combat airpower and support’ which is ‘capable of dominating any adversary’.

Palestinians are among the so-called adversaries the US forces based there are currently helping to ‘dominate’. F35 bombers fly from Lakenheath, in support of Israel’s attacks on the Occupied territories.

LAP activities during the April peace camp included a War Crimes and Genocide Day highlighting the complicity of the US, UK, and NATO in Israel’s genocidal war against Gaza. Past attacks from Lakenheath include Libya in 1986 and combat missions against Afghanistan from 2001 and Iraq in 2023. Other peace camp activity days included an international conference attended by guests from across Europe and beyond, and a Greenham Women day. 

Around 250 people took part in the blockade on Saturday 26 April, including two CND coaches from London. An impressive list of banners. I recall seeing them from Wales, York, Plymouth, Quakers, London Peace Pagoda – including nearby Norwich and Cambridge.

Fine weather and a carnival atmosphere notwithstanding, there were seven arrests from among those who chose not to heed the police call to disperse at the end of the afternoon.

CND General Secretary Sophie Bolt said nuclear weapons don’t make us safer, they make us a target. She expressed solidarity with those arrested after the successful three-hour shut down of the main entrance to the base. ‘Rather than arresting people for peacefully protesting the return of US nuclear weapons to Britain,’ Sophie said, ‘the clear violations of international law facilitated by the British government should be investigated.’

Check out:

  • CND’s press release on the blockade
  • Labour CND’s model motion on Lakenheath
  • Visit CND for more information and what you can do.
  • Lakenheath Alliance for Peace is a coalition of local, national, and international groups dedicated to preventing the return of US nuclear weapons to Lakenheath. LAP holds monthly vigils at the base.

This article first appeared in Labour Outlook

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MODEL MOTION on US nuclear weapons returning to Lakenheath

As the successful blockade of Lakenheath airbase at the end of April demonstrated, word is getting round that the British government is permitting US nuclear weapons back into Britain, as the establishment last year of Lakenheath Alliance for Peace testifies. LAP now holds  regular vigils at the base, and has organised a successful two-week peace camp with more to follow.. But did you know that the British government has never acknowledged that US nuclear weapons will be returning to Britain’s shores?

MPs who asked questions in parliament when it first became known in 2022 were answered by James Heappey, a Defence Minister at the time, that the Ministry of Defence was ‘unable to comment on US spending decisions and capabilities, which are a matter for the US Government. It remains longstanding UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at a given location.’

Parliament ever been allowed to debate, let alone vote on, the return of US nuclear weapons. This just isn’t good enough. Labour CND urges supporters to raise the issue in your local Labour Party.

This [Branch /CLP] notes

A.            There is evidence that the United States plans to station nuclear weapons at the US Airforce base in Lakenheath, Suffolk, 70 miles from London.

B.            There has been no consultation. The public was not asked about this, nor was parliament.

C.           The plans are unpopular with voters. 17 years ago in 2008, sustained protests by CND and local groups led to nuclear bombs being removed from Lakenheath. Despite the secrecy, there is growing publicity.

D.           There were near-misses last time US nuclear bombs were at Lakenheath. Yet investigations by CND’s legal team indicate that there are no emergency plans in place in the event of nuclear accidents involving these new US B61-12 bombs.

E.            CND is launching a legal challenge against both Suffolk County Council and the Secretary of State for Defence over the serious safety risks of siting US nuclear weapons at Lakenheath, arguing that if these nuclear bombs are at Lakenheath, the Council and the Ministry of Defence could be in breach of their statutory obligations under emergency radiation regulations.

This [Branch/CLP] believes

1.            The plans would make us a target in a nuclear war between the US and Russia, at a time when the risk of nuclear war is growing. These US B61-12 nuclear bombs are described as ‘battlefield’ nuclear weapons and are designed to be used in war.

2.            The government, without any public consultation or parliamentary debate, is making us a target and putting us at risk from nuclear accidents without any emergency plans in place.

This [Branch/CLP] resolves to

a) support CND’s campaign to stop the deployment of these bombs
b) inform members on the issues by circulating material on Lakenheath airbase and peace camp activities there, and
c) holding a discussion and invite a CND speaker.

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Contemporary motion for Labour Party conference

Labour CND’s contempoary motion for Labour Party conference meets the criteria

  • Must be an issue that has arisen after the Friday 5 July 2024
  • On one subject
  • No more than 250 words in length
  • Not considered by the CAC as an organisational matter or constitutional amendment.

The deadline for submitting these motions for Annual Conference is 5pm Thursday 12 September.

This motion which calls on Labour to publish the likely cost of raising defence spending is set within the framework of Labour’s non-negotiable fiscal rules. It is suitable for debate as a CLP policy motion as well as a conference contemporary. We have produced an Explainer with references below also included below.

EXPLAINER

MoD’s Finance and economics annual statistical bulletin: international defence 2024,15 August 2024, is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-defence-expenditure-2024/finance-and-economics-annual-statistical-bulletin-international-defence-2024

Military data is compiled and computed differently by different countries and institutions. Making international comparisons about military spending presents a number of widely documented difficulties to do with the comparability and granularity of international military data. For purposes of transparency and comparison, the MoD takes spending and other data for its statistical bulletin from internationally recognised and authoritative sources – in the case of the statistics presented in this motion, the IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) and SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) are the main sources. NATO and the MoD, also compute military data differently, as do the IMF and World Bank. Because the data for the MoD’s annual statistical bulletin does not originate from the UK Government Statistical Service they are not designated as ‘official statistics’. This does not mean they lack authority, on the contrary all government seek to present their data in the most favourable light and may sometimes avoid international comparison.

Press Release announcing the SDR, 16 July 2024, is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-root-and-branch-review-of-uk-armed-forces

The SDR’s purpose is given in the Terms of Reference, 17 July 2024, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-defence-review-2024-2025-terms-of-reference/strategic-defence-review-2024-2025-terms-of-reference#:~:text=The%20SDR%20will%20consider%20the,sovereign%20requirements%20and%20strategic%20reach.

The MoD’s budget is ‘protected’, meaning inflation-proofed, together with health, education, childcare, and overseas development budgets. All other government department budgets are unprotected. Transport, housing, local government, etc could all take a hit if military spending rises to 2.5%.

See IFS Figure 14: Estimated change in day-to-day departmental budgets (average annual real-terms growth) under existing spending plans, 2024–25 to 2028–29, in How have the size and shape of the UK state changed?, June 2024, available at https://ifs.org.uk/publications/how-have-size-and-shape-uk-state-changed

Labour’s non-negotiable fiscal rules can be found at https://labour.org.uk/change/labours-fiscal-plan/     

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Labour CND’s role in the general election

There was plenty to do and say during the bank holiday weekend. Labour CND responded to the horrific scenes of a burning encampment in what the Israeli government had called a ‘safe’ haven for Gazans, drawing attention to what a Labour government’s ethical policy should be.

and we were quick off the mark too in response to Rishi Sunak’s announcement about national service. Quoting ex-military responses in the Guardian and a pertinent comment from Andrew Marr in New Statesman, we said:

and

Visit @LabourCND and www.labourcnd.org.uk for regular updates