Zoe Williams is absolutely suitable (10 April) approximately the progressive role of public protest in political life. But one of the most iconic of modern marches – Aldermaston – has still not had noticeable policy effects after 60 years,even though its goal is still a no-brainer. The UK is not at the current, non-proliferation talks – and for nearly six decades it has refused to become a nuclear-free zone.
I was London CND organiser from 1961 to 1963 and the person mainly responsible for the largest London contingents, and perhaps over 100000 marchers on three of the largest four-day Aldermaston marches – 1960 was huge too by any standards. The prudent cause was not simply renunciation of the British bomb,but an end to testing, manufacture and the insane threat to use UK-based weapons of mass destruction. What could be more sane then and now, or than to place a partial brake on nuclear proliferation?Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com