Stop the War coalition - Plans for 2026
Posted: 12th December 2025
Plans for 2026
Dear groups, members and supporters,
Thanks so much for all the support and solidarity you have given the Stop the War Coalition over the past year. We could not carry out any of the activities that we do without your support.
With the world becoming ever more dangerous we need all our energy and commitment in the coming months. We face continuing Israeli attacks in Gaza, alongside the ongoing genocide. Trump is threatening war against Venezuela. Keir Starmer is spending ever more on weapons and war, while slashing public spending on basic needs. The war in Ukraine continues, and the European powers have set themselves against peace.
The priorities for the coming year should be clear:
Welfare not warfare: cut spending on ‘defence’ and use the money instead on providing security at home by tackling the housing crisis and our crumbling NHS and schools.
Peace in Ukraine: the war being prolonged by Keir Starmer and his ‘coalition of the willing’ is not in the interests of working people in Ukraine or Russia.
For a world against war: the London international peace conference on 20 June is a key priority in building an anti war movement across the globe.
Against scapegoating and Islamophobia: This is one of our key original demands and is more urgent than ever.
Defend the right to protest: Several key figures from the Palestine movement are on trial in February and March. There are the attacks on Defend our Juries, and the growing repression of demonstrations.
Some key dates for your diaries
31 January next national Palestine coalition demonstration.
12 February workplace day of action for Palestine
23 February beginning of trial of Ben Jamal and Chris Nineham, followed by those of Alex Kenny and Sophie Bolt
14 March Stop the War annual conference
28 March national demo Together against the Far Right, which STW is supporting
16 May Nakba commemoration march
20 June international peace conference
What you can do
We are asking all our groups to organise:
- a meeting on Islamophobia, war and the far right in the run up to the demonstration on 28 March
- a meeting on Welfare not Warfare – austerity and the new war economy
- To support the mobilisations in any way that they can, including the protest against the far right
- To campaign around welfare not warfare as a central demand
- To build trade union and community delegations to 20 June peace conference
As you start organising meetings in the new year, we ask everyone to be mindful that Ramadan will fall between 17 February – 18 March. When planning events during this period, please consider timing, catering, and accessibility so that members observing Ramadan can fully participate.
We are asking all our members and supporters:
To try to increase support for Stop the War in any way you can: recruiting members, getting affiliations from union branches, and where possible helping to initiate new groups.
I hope this helps you plan activity for the year ahead. Thanks again for all your support, and all good wishes for Xmas and the new year.
Lindsey German
Convenor
Stop the War Coalition