CND's Press Round-Up - 7th July 2021
Posted: 9th July 2021
Nuclear Weapons
More details about the content of the TPNW States-Parties conference in Vienna become clear, whilst the relationship between Scottish independence, NATO and nuclear weapons comes under discussion.
Nuclear Arms Control
In an interview with a Japanese press outlet, Alexander Kmentt, the designated president of the TPNW States-Parties Conference provided more detail of what will be discussed in Vienna in January. Kyodo News reports Kmentt as saying that a deadline for complete nuclear disarmament might be under discussion, though he thinks that the deadline has to be sufficiently far into the future for large nuclear-armed states to get rid of their weapons. Russia and the U.S. taken together account for 90% of global nuclear weapons overall. Kmentt also expressed hope that Japan would join the conference as an observer, noting that support for victims of nuclear weapons would be on the agenda.
Nuclear Weapons and Scottish Independence
Disgraced former Labour MP John Woodcock has a piece in PoliticsHometoday, arguing that the removal of Trident from Scotland after ‘Scottish independence would impact the defence of both countries and jeopardise Scotland’s future membership of NATO’. Ant-nuclear campaigners will draw optimism from some of his conclusion however, as he points out that alternative sites for the Trident submarines in the UK, such as the Cumbrian coast, are likely to attract large-scale public opposition. Woodcock inadvertently gestures towards the linkages between an anti-NATO policy and an anti-nuclear one by saying that ‘no government has ever yet submitted an application to shelter under NATO’s nuclear umbrella while simultaneously describing that protection as “morally repugnant” and inflicting massive dislocation on the Trident system that underpins it’.
Anti-war
The UK is covertly basing troops in Yemen, it is revealed for the first time.
War in Yemen – UK Involvement
The investigative journalism website Declassified UK has revealed that a significant number of UK troops are operating in Yemen, something which has not previously been reported. The troops are stationed at the Al-Ghaydah airport, where Saudi Arabian forces run a prison camp and torture centre. Local sources the British provide ‘training and logistical support’ for the Saudi army in Yemen. The airport is in Mahra province, close to the border with Oman. The UK has provided support on a vast scale to Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen, which has brought about the largest humanitarian disaster in the world at present.
Nuclear Power
The Government is examining a controversial and risky financing model for the Sizewell C project.
Nuclear Power – UK
The Financial Times carries a report on the funding of new nuclear power stations in Britain. Under draft proposals, British consumers are looking at a surcharge on their electricity bills to pay for new nuclear. Boris Johnson has previously said that he wants an investment decision made on ‘at least’ one nuclear power station before the next general election. The regulated asset base model of finance is being looked at for the Sizewell C plant. This model would see charges added to household electricity bills as construction progresses. Proponents say this model would allow the project to attract stable capital from large institutional investors, like pension funds. Critics point out that the model would expose consumers to the huge cost over-runs typically associated with nuclear construction projects.
With best wishes,
Michael Muir
Press and Communications Officer
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
More details about the content of the TPNW States-Parties conference in Vienna become clear, whilst the relationship between Scottish independence, NATO and nuclear weapons comes under discussion.
Nuclear Arms Control
In an interview with a Japanese press outlet, Alexander Kmentt, the designated president of the TPNW States-Parties Conference provided more detail of what will be discussed in Vienna in January. Kyodo News reports Kmentt as saying that a deadline for complete nuclear disarmament might be under discussion, though he thinks that the deadline has to be sufficiently far into the future for large nuclear-armed states to get rid of their weapons. Russia and the U.S. taken together account for 90% of global nuclear weapons overall. Kmentt also expressed hope that Japan would join the conference as an observer, noting that support for victims of nuclear weapons would be on the agenda.
Nuclear Weapons and Scottish Independence
Disgraced former Labour MP John Woodcock has a piece in PoliticsHometoday, arguing that the removal of Trident from Scotland after ‘Scottish independence would impact the defence of both countries and jeopardise Scotland’s future membership of NATO’. Ant-nuclear campaigners will draw optimism from some of his conclusion however, as he points out that alternative sites for the Trident submarines in the UK, such as the Cumbrian coast, are likely to attract large-scale public opposition. Woodcock inadvertently gestures towards the linkages between an anti-NATO policy and an anti-nuclear one by saying that ‘no government has ever yet submitted an application to shelter under NATO’s nuclear umbrella while simultaneously describing that protection as “morally repugnant” and inflicting massive dislocation on the Trident system that underpins it’.
Anti-war
The UK is covertly basing troops in Yemen, it is revealed for the first time.
War in Yemen – UK Involvement
The investigative journalism website Declassified UK has revealed that a significant number of UK troops are operating in Yemen, something which has not previously been reported. The troops are stationed at the Al-Ghaydah airport, where Saudi Arabian forces run a prison camp and torture centre. Local sources the British provide ‘training and logistical support’ for the Saudi army in Yemen. The airport is in Mahra province, close to the border with Oman. The UK has provided support on a vast scale to Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen, which has brought about the largest humanitarian disaster in the world at present.
Nuclear Power
The Government is examining a controversial and risky financing model for the Sizewell C project.
Nuclear Power – UK
The Financial Times carries a report on the funding of new nuclear power stations in Britain. Under draft proposals, British consumers are looking at a surcharge on their electricity bills to pay for new nuclear. Boris Johnson has previously said that he wants an investment decision made on ‘at least’ one nuclear power station before the next general election. The regulated asset base model of finance is being looked at for the Sizewell C plant. This model would see charges added to household electricity bills as construction progresses. Proponents say this model would allow the project to attract stable capital from large institutional investors, like pension funds. Critics point out that the model would expose consumers to the huge cost over-runs typically associated with nuclear construction projects.
With best wishes,
Michael Muir
Press and Communications Officer
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament