Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

2007 was a significant year for the campaign in Scotland. It saw not only the majority of Scottish MPs voting against the plan to replace Trident, but also the Scottish Parliament taking a similar stance. Since May, Scottish CND has been encouraging the new Scottish government to explore what effective action it can take to help achieve disarmament.

We have deliberately worked with major Scottish institutions to build the campaign. The churches, other religious groups, trade unions and peace organisations have worked together in the Scotland’s for Peace initiative. Scotland’s for Peace organised a Bin the Bomb roadshow in February, culminating in a march and rally attended by around 3,000 people in Glasgow. The speakers included First Minister, Alex Salmond and Cardinal Keith O'Brien. During the year Scottish CND worked with other organisations in the campaign, including Faslane 365 which sustained effective protests throughout the year, and Greenpeace, which organised a high profile campaign in February.

More jobs without Trident

One of the main arguments used in favour of nuclear weapons in Scotland is that jobs would be at risk if Trident were cancelled. Early in 2007 Scottish CND and the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) gathered together a small group of experts who drafted a detailed report on the economic implications of cancelling the Trident programme. This showed that the number of jobs at risk was far less than often claimed and that more jobs would be created if the money was reallocated to other projects. The report proved to be an effective and timely piece of research.

Strong political lobbying

Scottish CND members wrote to their MPs and MSPs, sent them emails and visited them in their local surgeries. In March, 33 of the 59 Scottish MPs voted against the government. In June, a motion calling on the UK government not to go ahead with its proposals at this time was overwhelmingly passed, with 71 voting for, 16 against and 41 abstaining or not voting.

After the May election, Scottish CND held a conference to discuss with politicians and representatives of civic Scotland how to move the campaign forward. A key task has been to identify what a Scottish government can do within its devolved powers. The Scottish National Party (SNP) administration has taken this on board, and, in October, they organised a National Conversation on Scotland's Future Without Nuclear Weapons. Following this the Scottish government is setting up a Working Group to explore future options.

In November, 3,000 people marched through the centre of Edinburgh in the People and Parliament against Trident event organised by Scotland's for Peace. The event was effective in showing public support for the stance taken by Holyrood.

Scotland’s for Peace launched the Scottish Covenant for Peace which states: ‘We desire that Scotland should be known for its contribution to peace and justice rather than for waging war’. This was signed by Alex Salmond, religious leaders and MSPs on 1st November. Thirty illustrated Covenant books have been printed.

During 2008 we will work to ensure that there is a good turnout from Scotland at the Aldermaston demonstration on Easter Monday. Events in Glasgow and Edinburgh will mark CND’s 50th anniversary. The year’s main focus will be encouraging grassroots activity with a series of meetings across Scotland in March and later in the year. The major event will be a large protest at Faslane in June. We will also host a conference on Trident Replacement in the Autumn, assist Nuclear Free Local Authorities with a seminar in April, take part in the Scottish government’s working group on nuclear weapons and promote the Scottish Peace Covenant.