General Sir Patrick Sanders' call for a 'citizen army', raising the prospect of military conscription, reflect the increasingly aggressive militarism of the UK political establishment, as well as the broader rise of everyday militarism in the UK.
Spiralling military spending. Peace campaigners under attack in Russia and Ukraine. The devastating violence in Israel and Gaza. In 2023 there has been no shortage of war and militarism for peace campaigners to resist.
Britian’s leading pacifist organisation joined other peace groups and individuals to contest the ambiguously named Specialist Defence and Security Convention (SDSC) at Telford International Centre on Thursday 2nd November.
Veterans are among those rejecting the government’s criticism of demonstrations planned for 11th November, stating that “there’s no more appropriate day to call for an armistice.”
Peace campaigners and white poppy wearers have rejected Rishi Sunak's criticism of demonstrations planned for 11th November, calling his comments "a threat to peaceful protest and against the true spirit of Remembrance Day".
The PPU joins other voices from the peace movement in condemning the horrific attacks on civilians by Hamas on Saturday in Southern Israel, including hostage-taking and the killing of more than 1200 people.