Britain has a new government. The Tories are gone, after 14 years of misrule, but what comes next? A Labour government committed to a ‘triple lock on Trident’. Clearly there is much work to be done, but there is a new and more positive atmosphere.
Not least, enormous relief and happiness that our Vice-President Jeremy Corbyn has been re-elected, as an Independent MP – so we will have his powerful and principled voice for peace in Parliament. It has been great to see the election of four other independent candidates on the platform of ceasefire in Gaza. Together with MPs from other parties that oppose the genocide, this will be a strong base in parliament.
Read CND General Secretary Kate Hudson’s full analysis of the results
Thank you to everyone who took the time to lobby their candidates during the election campaign. This work shed light on where our votes were best cast. And it means we are in a good position now to forge new relationships within our constituencies and in Westminster, where we will invite newly elected MPs to campaign with us in Parliamentary CND. The good news is, many of the MPs we have worked with before are back, so we have a solid group of cross-party Parliamentarians that we can work with.
But the fact is, there is scarcely a hair’s breadth between the ‘defence’ positions of the two main parties. This means our fight for peace and nuclear disarmament must continue – and increase its pressure on the newly elected government.
At our online election briefing just over a week ago, it was clear how vital it is for us in the peace and anti-war movement to continue to mobilize and demand nuclear disarmament. Following the online briefing, a new article “Is more military spending a good idea?” makes it absolutely clear how our society would benefit, and how our economy would grow significantly if there were less military spending and more productive investment.
This new post-electoral situation presents us with many challenges, but also opportunities – and hope for the future. Let’s make the most of it!