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After so many months of campaigning against Trident renewal, both here in Brentwood and nationally, it would be easy to see the vote in the House of Commons on March 14th as a defeat and make us feel like giving up on our struggle against Britain’s nuclear weapons.
But, of course, our campaign is now needed more than ever and it is important to understand the changes which have been wrought in the views of the general public (now, for the first time, there is a majority against nuclear weapons) and indeed in the views of many MP’s.
The day of the debate in the House of Commons saw day long protests outside in Parliament Square, which included a 4 hour road blockade by 11 members of Block the Builders, using concrete filled bins daubed with “Bin Trident”. The traffic was brought to a complete standstill for 35 minutes and only two lanes could be open for a further one and a half hours while police scratched their heads wondering how to remove the protesters without hurting them.
Later on in the day many protesters lobbied their MP’s (see account further on of our brief encounter with Eric Pickles) and then towards evening CND held a rally in Parliament Square. The heartening thing about the rally was the number of MP’s who took the trouble to leave the House to come and explain why they were voting against the Government. At various points throughout the day groups of cyclists rode slowly around the square, once more bringing disruption to traffic, some of which was supportive.
In the event, of course, MP’s voted for Trident by a majority of 408 – to 160 votes.
Kate Hudson, CND Chair, has written the following letter to all CND supporters:
I am writing to convey my sincere thanks for all of your support
and hard work for the No Trident Replacement campaign over the past few
months.
The vote in parliament on 14th March was a significant step forward
for our work. Although the government position was won, it was the largest
rebellion on a domestic issue since Labour came to power in 1997. It is
also the largest backbench revolt over defence policy since Labour first
entered government in 1924.
Many MP’s have shifted their positions to oppose nuclear weapons
and more will do so in the months nuclear weapons and years to come. All
the arguments are in our favour and more and more people are realising
that. This is a key step in the process of winning the struggle for nuclear
abolition. The tables are turning in our favour and sanity will ultimately
prevail.
CND will continue to campaign tirelessly against Trident replacement
and for initiatives which will eliminate nuclear weapons from Britain
and the entire world. Your continued support is vital to encourage our
government to adopt policies of peace and security. Kate Hudson, CND Chair
Tony Blair (in an effort to stem the rebellion) has himself said that
this vote does not tie the hands of future governments and ministers have
failed to answer the fundamental questions posed by campaigners, in particular,
what is the threat it is meant to deter and if nuclear weapons are so
necessary to our defence why don’t other countries in the world
(including Iran) need them as well?
The struggle continues!
Published by Brentwood CND (Jill Dimmock) c/o 26 Mascalls Gardens, Brentwood CM14 5LT