Hello readers and supporters of the Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament!

Please read on for a summary of what’s happening locally, nationally, and worldwide.

NEWS & OPINIONS

Thank you to all the campaigners that went to the protest at BAE Systems in Samlesbury, which makes the rear fuselage of the F35 aircraft that is currently being used in the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. The protest was organised by Blackburn4Palestine and invovled peace activists from across the North (including some CND campaigners from Manchester and beyond). 

Starmer permanently ties UK nuclear arsenal to Washington (article)

Britain’s nuclear weapons are now forever reliant on US military scientists after a transatlantic treaty was quietly rewritten.

Labour has reinforced the “special relationship” with Washington by agreeing to make Britain’s nuclear arsenal permanently dependent on the US.

In one of its first, but little-noticed foreign policy moves, Labour has amended the Eisenhower-era 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement (MDA) that is crucial to Britain’s Trident nuclear missile system.

Officials deleted a long-standing sunset clause that required it be renewed every ten years.

All references to an “expiry date” have been removed “to make the entirety of the MDA enduring, securing continuing cooperation with the US”, according to a memorandum signed by defence secretary John Healey.

Nuclear is costly, risky and slow, Ramana says. Why then, he asks in his new book, do governments still champion it? Ramana is keen to point out that the nuclear energy industry only survives because of government support. Through electricity bills and taxes, the public often pay a significant amount toward building and running nuclear plants, as well as storing the waste. Governments also provide subsidies, skew electricity markets in favour of nuclear and form such tight relationships with industry that they end up repeating their propaganda, he says.

A key reason governments sink so much money into nuclear is because of how tightly bound up it is with nuclear weapons, which ostensibly guarantee a country’s security and strength, Ramana says. “Technically speaking, having a nuclear reactor means you’re going to have more capacity to make nuclear weapons,” he says, including through interchangeable personnel.

New Government pledges the ‘triple lock’ on the nuclear deterrent with the goal to safeguard Britain and NATO for “generations to come”. 

If you can, join the PARC against DARC protests against the proposed U.S. Space Force Deeps Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

The Fair will once again return to the prestigious Victoria Hall at Saltaire (on the outskirts of Bradford) in the run-up to Christmas. Victoria Hall is located in the popular tourist village of Saltaire, adjacent to the art gallery & specialist shops in Salts Mill.

This is one of our biggest yearly fundraiser events, so please spread the word! Better yet, why not get invovled?

There is a peaceful witness, demonstration and protest outside the Main Gate entrance to the American base at Menwith Hill every Tuesday evening (6 – 7.30 pm). This demonstration has been going almost every week since July 2000.

Wear some warm water proof clothing and bring a high viz vest to keep you warm, dry and safe during the protest.

Please contact Sarah if you’re thinking of coming up: [email protected] / 01765 600928