A constitutional ban on nuclear weapons

On Saturday 16th November, I attended the annual general meeting of Scottish CND and there was an informative presentation from John MacDonald, a Director of the Scottish Global Forum on the Prospective Constitutional Ban of Nuclear Weapons in an Independent Scotland. 

Reference was made to other states who have achieved a constitutional ban on nuclear weapons including New Zealand, Japan, Ukraine and Mongolia. In the case of Mongolia, at the end of the Cold War, although in close proximity to China and Russia, it adopted vigorous diplomacy to become a nuclear free state. It enshrined being nuclear free in a new constitution and this was recognised by the UN. 

In the aftermath of a Yes vote, it would be inconceivable for the UK Government to push for retaining nuclear weapons when the Scottish Government has a democratic mandate to remove them. Alternatively, if there is a No vote, in the midst of public sector spending cuts, it would economic insanity by the UK Government to invest in Trident replacement. 

In the year ahead, it is crucial to maintain the campaign against nuclear weapons in the forefront of people's minds. We need to raise questions and put it at the top of the political agenda. 

Details of the Peace Walk from 1st - 7th April 2014.

In April 2014, there will be an opportunity to engage communities across Scotland in a debate about the nuclear weapons during a Peace Walk. 

Useful link:

"Securing the Nation" report by the Scottish Global Forum -http://www.scottishglobalforum.net/about.html