Stop the War coalition Newsletter 02/06/23

Posted: 18th June 2023

Newsletter – 02/06/23

A Win for Peace – UCU Opposes the War in Ukraine

Last weekend the UCU Congress passed the resolution above calling for peace in Ukraine. The passing of the resolution and a packed fringe meeting on the Saturday are a win for peace which has opened up debateon the trajectory of the war within the labour movement. Here’s our statement:

Stop the War Coalition congratulates delegates at the University and College Union who voted through a resolution at their congress this weekend calling for peace in Ukraine. The resolution condemns the Russian invasion and points out that NATO’s escalation in response has turned Ukraine into a battleground between the great powers. It is the Ukrainian people who are the main victims.

The success of the resolution has sparked a debate within the union which we welcome as there is so little discussion allowed in this country on the war in Ukraine. We condemn attacks on the union by pro-war figures and the use of UCU social media accounts to criticise the vote. The democracy of the trade union movement should be defended by all.

Trade unions have a long history of opposing government involvement in foreign wars and campaigning against militarisation and increased arms spending. This tradition is especially important in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

We urge trade unionists across the movement to put similar resolutions to their branches. We are happy to provide speakers for any meeting.

Share the Statement

Read Andrew Murray’s Article on the Resolution

#PeaceNow! Add Your Name to our Letter to Rishi Sunak

The rhetoric around the war on Ukraine is reaching frightening levels. Earlier this week, the former Russian president and deputy chair of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, accused the UK of “de facto leading an undeclared war against Russia” to which the British foreign minister James Cleverly responded by provocatively tweeting that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO”. This a dangerous game with perilous potential consequences and we have to continue to speak up for peace.

With that in mind, we delivered a letter to No. 10 on Wednesday calling on the government to back “growing international calls for peace negotiations” and over 1500 of you have signed it since. Please sign and share the letter as far and wide as you can.

Sign Our Letter to Rishi Sunak

Stop the War in Ukraine Meetings

This week saw three fantastic Stop the War meetings in Glasgow, Liverpool and Leeds. The meetings were well attended, had excellent speakers and show the mood on the war in Ukraine is shifting as the conflict enters a period of stalemate with no end in sight, and more and more people are becoming aware of the dangers of escalation.

In Glasgow, our fringe meeting at UCU’s national conference saw delegates and activists packed into the room. The mood of the meeting was buoyant following the passing on the conference floor of a resolution calling for an end to the war and an end to the government’s continuing arms sales to Ukraine. In Leeds and Liverpool activists were keen to be part of the growing movement for peace, and urged us to amplify our message.

We have more meetings arranged in the coming weeks across the country. Fringe meetings at both Unison and Unite’s annual conferences as well as local meetings in Colchester, Canterbury, Preston and Sheffield. But this is just the beginning and while the prevailing narrative remains fixed on continuing the carnage in Ukraine it is important our message is heard by as many people as possible.

Anti-war voices are beginning to break through, but we still have a way to go; if there is no meeting arranged near you, please get in touch and we can help you organise one…

Yes, I’d Like to Organise a Meeting

This Week’s Anti-War Briefing