In September 2007, the General Council agreed that the STUC should organise a joint Conference with Scottish CND to extend the collaborative work undertaken to produce the report ‘Cancelling Trident: The Economic and Employment Consequences’ published in March 2007.
The Conference, which was held on Saturday 26 January at the STUC was chaired by Phil McGarry, STUC President, and attended by around 50 people.
Speakers included:
• Kate Hudson, Chair CND – who thanked the STUC for hosting the Conference and welcomed the publication of ‘Cancelling Trident’, which she regarded as a model for effective engagement in the debate. She believed that there was a real opportunity for making progress in Scotland, which meant that alliances had to be built and sustained;
• Katie Clark MP – who welcomed the STUC’s approach to this issue, particularly its willingness to engage with Scottish MPs at Westminster. She stressed the importance of continuing to influence at the Westminster level; and
• John Foster/Stephen Boyd – who outlined aspects of the ‘Cancelling Trident’ report, particularly the job implications and alternatives for redeployment.
The Conference concluded with an MSP panel, comprising Patrick Harvie, Green Party; Bill Butler, Labour; Bill Kidd, SNP; and Councillor Christopher Mason representing the Lib Dems (standing in for Robert Brown MSP who had to withdraw at late notice).
Issues arising:
• widespread view that the approach pursued in ‘Cancelling Trident’ should be applied to different scenarios i.e. base closure – a belief that this should be a primary focus of the Scottish Government’s new working group;
• the approach to economic development adopted by the new Scottish Government is not one that would facilitate implementation of Cancelling Trident’s recommendations;
• a Scottish CND Trade Union Group should be established;
• the importance of working constructively with the workforce at Faslane/Coulport; and
• the importance of not focusing too many resources at the Scottish level - it is vital to continue influencing at Westminster.