After 14 years of Tory rule, we finally have a change of government. While it was
long clear that Labour would win the election, few seriously believed that they would win by the margin they did. Yet, while the mood music is positive the election result is a mixed picture for the peace movement.
As outlined in a previous blog post, the Labour government is not offering change in its defence policy. The party is brazenly supportive of nuclear weapons, increased military spending, war in Ukraine and the Middle East and NATO.
Indeed, the newly elected Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has been using the NATO conference in Washington to stress continuity with the Tories’ disastrous foreign
policy.
At the same time, despite Labour's reluctance to increase public spending to tackle
domestic issues, the new Defence Secretary has promised to give Ukraine millions
of pounds worth of high calibre ammunition.
It is clear that continuing the failed Tory defence strategy will only push the world
closer to wider conflict, endangering the lives of millions. It is important that, despite
the change of government, the peace movement continues to demand a change of
approach.
However, the election result brought up more discussion points than just Labour
success. The SNP presence in parliament was greatly diminished, providing a sad
blow for anti-nuclear campaigners in Scotland.
A happier sight was the Green Party winning four seats. Despite recently becoming
more supportive of NATO, they generally have a good approach to peace matters
and the wider movement.
It also wasn’t all good news for Labour as five independent MPs were elected, in
traditionally Labour constituencies, primarily on the issue of Gaza. Obviously, the
most notable of these is Jeremy Corbyn who will undoubtedly hold the new
government to account on its approach to defence.
Hopefully, these Independent MPs, allied with those of other parties who oppose the
government’s defence policy, can work together to form a strong base for peace
campaigning in parliament.
The election result has no doubt brought fresh challenges for the peace movement,
but it has also brought hope and opportunities for wider change. It is now up to us to
pressure those in power to deliver it.
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