News from National CND

Last week’s expiry of New START, the final remaining arms control treaty between the US and Russia, means we face the very real possibility of a turbocharged nuclear arms race for the first time since the height of the Cold War.

CND has written to David Riley, UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, urging the government to use their influence to secure the extension of the Treaty and you can help by using our easy lobby tool to write to the Foreign Secretary about New START here. By failing to extend New START both countries put at risk the entire framework underpinning the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

Shamefully the British government’s purchase of nuclear-capable F-35A jets also puts Britain in breach of the NPT. These jets will be based at RAF Marham in Norfolk and will be assigned to NATO’s nuclear Dual Capable Aircraft mission – flying US B61-12 nuclear bombs under the command of US President Donald Trump, now likely deployed to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.  

This expansion of Britain’s nuclear capabilities was made without any debate in Parliament and the government has refused to allow for a vote on this major change. This deal further ties Britain to the aggressive foreign policy Trump.

We need to send a clear message to the government that people are prepared to stand up to Donald Trump’s threats and Britain’s reckless nuclear expansion. Join CND at RAF Marham on Saturday, 28 February to say no to British nuke jets! 

Supporters of the demonstration now include trade unions – University & Colleges Union, Fire Brigades Union, National Education Union, Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association – and organisations Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, Quakers in Britain, Campaign Against Arms Trade, Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, Campaign Against Climate Change, Pax Christi, Movement for the Abolition of War, MedAct, and Scientists for Global Responsibility.

• Saturday, 28 February  
• 1:00pm to 3:00pm 
• RAF Marham, Upper Marham, King’s Lynn, PE33 9NP 
• More details 

RAF Marham’s role in Israel’s Gaza genocide 

In addition to RAF Marham hosting Britain’s F-35 fleet, it has acted as a transnational hub for the transfer of F-35 parts to Israel, which have been vital in facilitating Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Speaking at our recent webinar on nuclear dangers, John McEvoy of Declassified UK, stressed why CND’s protest is so important, explaining how the base continues to transport parts to the US, which are then forwarded to Israel.  

You can help us raise awareness about why it is so critical to join the protest and stop Britain’s ongoing complicity in genocide by watching and sharing our clip of John on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tik Tok, and X.  

Transport – spots are filling up secure yours today!  

Yorkshire: a minibus is being arranged from Bradford, with an option for a stop in Leeds. If interested please contact Yorkshire CND by Friday, 13 February by emailing [email protected] or calling 01274 730795 (leave a message if there is no answer).

London: leaving Embankment station at 9.30am. gmail.com.

Manchester: contact gmdcnd@gn.apc.org to discuss transport options.

Norwich: book a seat on the Norwich coach by emailing jennparkhouse@hotmail.com.

Cambridge: email [email protected] for transport from Cambridge.

Shuttle bus: The nearest train station to the base is Downham Market. CND will run a shuttle to and from the protest from this station – booking a (free) seat is essential. The bus will leave Downham Market at 12.30pm to head to the base. Please make sure you email [email protected] to secure your seat!

How the US is fuelling the nuclear arms race: CND and New Internationalist joint webinar, Thursday 19 February  

At a time when global conflict is increasing, nuclear-armed states are adding fuel to the fire by reaffirming their commitments to nuclear weapons and abandoning arms control agreements. Join CND and the New Internationalist magazine on Thursday, 19 February, for a webinar to discuss the pivotal role the US plays in the escalation of nuclear tensions worldwide.

• Thursday, 19 February
• 6:00pm
• Online, register here 

With guest speakers: Helen Jaccard, Veterans For Peace; Ludo De Brabander, Vrede; Dae-Han Song, International Strategy Center, No Cold War Collective, Korea Policy Institute; and Sophie Bolt, CND. Chaired by New Internationalist co-editor, Amy Hall.

Help us promote the webinar by START agreement and the US’ role in fuelling this arms race.