Don’t Put Britain on the Nuclear Frontline - A poem by Ann Garrett, Bromley CND

US nukes at Lakenheath make us vulnerable to a nuclear attack

NATO expansion draws us nearer to nuclear Armageddons night most black

Nations seem oblivious of possible annihilation

as they are addicted to arms sales proliferation

Arms dealers inexcusably irresponsible in their profit–driven world

ensure nearer the inevitable road of destruction we are hurled

Trident renewal is high on the Governments agenda

ignoring campaigners cries to de-escalate and surrender

Drones and missiles are being indiscriminately fired as conflicts increase

There is now a danger of greater tension with little hope of peace

Britain is irrevocably on the nuclear front line

Millions of peace doves need releasing before we run out of precious time

Sad death of Christine Bickerstaff

Alex Forbes, Chair of Wimbledon CND Disarmament Coalition writes:

Sadly we have to report the death of Christine Bickerstaff, who was a staunchmember of Wimbledon Disarmament Coalition/CND ever since its inception in the1980s, who was particularly active in helping with our annual Fete of the Earth.

Christine was determined that our group should continue after the death of our previous Chair Maisie Carter, telling me ‘I’m terrified of a nuclear war, please help keep the campaign going’, and so she volunteered as treasurer. Christine attended our steering committee meetings and leaflet sessions in Wimbledon. In particular, she helped organise leafletting for our screenings of the film Oppenheimer in Wimbledon last year.

She was brilliant at engaging with the public, despite struggling to walk and stand at times. She was eventually persuaded to meet the group at her house, but by then had become quite ill and gone into hospital.

In addition to her work with Wimbledon DC/CND, Christine was a stalwart of several other groups over many years: a supporter of our local Merton Palestine Solidarity Campaign, frequently attending stalls to help leaflet, as recently as last year. She also supported Cuba Solidarity Campaign and Amnesty International.

Christine was well known in Wimbledon Labour Party as well, where she helped coordinate leafletting, and joined in canvassing sessions. She stood in the Wimbledon West by-election in November 1975 and for election as a Councillor in Dundonald ward in 2014.

Christine will be fondly remembered and greatly missed; her passion and determination certainly inspired me.

Are We Really Heading For World War Three?

Wimbledon CND Disarmament Coalition’s Alison Williams reflects on the disturbing findings of a recent YouGov poll

I wonder how many of us are familiar with the results of a YouGov poll published on 1 February on the likelihood of a Third World War in 5-10 years. The headline results are disturbing: over half of Britons think it is likely; somewhat under half think Britain and allies would win; and well over half think it is likely to be fought with nuclear weapons.

Is that a fair reflection of the national outlook — accepting the likelihood of involvement in major, probably nuclear-armed, conflict within a decade? The axiom that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought no longer applies, it seems.

A fifth of the UK’s defence budget maintains our nuclear deterrent which one researcher says is cannibalising the conventional forces, now seriously depleted. That said, as we approach a general election, time may be on our side.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been in force for three years and continues to gain support. Currently, there are 93 signatories and 69 fully-signed-up states parties. Those of us who have been out and about, offering leaflets and information on nuclear disarmament, are encouraged by increased public interest.