A senior US defence official just visited RAF Lakenheath

US deputy defence secretary Kathleen Hicks toured “infrastructure improvements” at RAF Lakenheath on Tuesday, another major indication that the Suffolk airbase is being primed for the return of US nuclear weapons. Hicks will spend two more days in the UK, where she is expected to hold meetings with British counterparts.

Among the “infrastructure improvements” at Lakenheath are plans to build a 144-bed “surety dormitory” for US Air Force personnel. In US military terminology, the word “surety” is used to refer to the handling of nuclear weapons. 

CND has already challenged the planning rights used for the dormitory – which so far has not received an environmental impact assessment ahead of its planned construction next year. We believe that the construction of buildings for the purpose of a nuclear weapons mission poses an outstanding environmental risk

Commenting on the visit to The Mirror, CND General Secretary Kate Hudson said: 

“Kathleen Hicks’ visit to RAF Lakenheath is further proof that Washington intends to use Britain as a launch pad for its nuclear arsenal in Europe. The lack of transparency surrounding this deployment is shocking given how dangerous it is. Russia has already retaliated:  it has stationed its own nuclear weapons in Belarus in response. A YouGov poll found that almost two thirds of the British public don’t want US nuclear weapons stationed here. That’s not surprising – they will make us a nuclear target. CND calls on the UK government to say that US nuclear weapons are not welcome in Britain.”

Find out more about our No US nukes campaign here. 

Keeping up the pressure for a ceasefire: Local day of action, 2 December

The temporary truce in Gaza has allowed for aid agencies to bring in vitally needed humanitarian supplies. But a permanent ceasefire and a just and lasting political solution to this catastrophe are essential, to prevent thousands more being killed. 
 
The UK government has continued to support the killing and violence, for more than 50 days. The real voice of humanity in this country comes from the hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who continue to regularly march in London to demand a permanent ceasefire. Cities and towns across Britain have also seen a surge in well-attended local actions calling for peace.  

This Saturday, 2 December, we're asking supporters to join local actions in their communities in support of a ceasefire.

You can find a list of events taking place here. More are being added all the time, so please check regularly for updates.

If you are organising a local action, contact [email protected] with the details, and we'll add it to our website. 

Download CND Ceasefire Now! artwork here, to order placards or print your own poster at home.

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