A vital piece of arms control is set to expire today. Russia and the US together own around 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons, and the New START treaty places limits and reductions on the number they can possess.

Allowing it to lapse will mean that we face the real prospect of a new nuclear arms race with no limits on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals.

But there is still a chance that the US and Russia will agree to voluntarily extend the Treaty for another year.

Can you take two minutes to write to the Foreign Secretary asking the UK government to push for its extension? Our lobby tool is quick, easy, and will make a difference, especially when messages come from people across the country.

Save New START: Lobby the Foreign Secretary

As a nuclear-armed state, Britain has clear obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to pursue disarmament in good faith. Rather than sitting on the sidelines, the government could show leadership and use its diplomatic influence to push for the US and Russia to extend New START!

What is New START?

New START has been an important confidence-building agreement between both Russia and the US for over 30 years. The current agreement means neither Russia nor the US can have no more than 1,150 deployed warheads, no more than 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers, and no more than 700 deployed missiles and bombers. It has been integral to preventing and all out arms race!

New START's upcoming expiry was an important factor in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists pushing the hands of the Doomsday Clock forward to 85 seconds to midnight last week, a serious warning that we are coming increasingly closer to a human-made catastrophe.

However, if US and Russia can agree to keep their limits in place right away, this could kick start a new agreement. This would go a long way to reducing the great risks posed by a renewed nuclear arms race that would encourage others to increase their own stockpiles further!

No war on Iran

It is welcome that talks are due to take place between the US and Iran, but the US must end its threats of further illegal military attacks. The consequences of a US-led war on Iran would be absolutely catastrophic. We all remember the horror of the Iraq war, a country half the size of Iran, in which over half a million people were killed and millions displaced.

We need a nuclear weapons-free Middle East, but this can only be secured through diplomacy, not military attacks.

CND is lobbying the foreign office to use its influence to promote dialogue, not military aggression. In the event of a US attack, CND and Stop the War will be calling an emergency protest in Downing Street, in London. Local groups and regions are encouraged to do the same.

Read our joint statement

Join the national demonstration at RAF Marham, 28 February

The number of organisations joining CND’s demonstration on Saturday 28 February against Britain’s dangerous nuclear expansion is growing! Along with trade unions University & Colleges Union, and Fire Brigades Union, we have support from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, Quakers in Britain, Campaign Against Arms Trade, Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, Campaign Against Climate Change, Pax Christi, Movement for the Abolition of War, MedAct, and Scientists for Global Responsbility.

It’s vital that as many people as possible join us at RAF Marham, where Britain’s nuclear-capable F-35As will be stationed. You can learn more about what’s going on and help raise awareness by sharing our social media explainers on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and X.

Saturday, 28 February
1:00pm-3:00pm
RAF Marham, Upper Marham, King's Lynn, PE33 9NP
More details

Guest speakers include Jo Grady, General Secretary, UCU; Lindsey German, Stop the War; and Kirsten Bayes, CAAT. More TBA!

Transport – secure your spot today!

London: book a seat on the CND coach from London

West Midlands: book a seat on the CND coach by emailing [email protected]

Manchester: contact [email protected] to discuss transport options

Norwich: book a seat on the Norwich coach by emailing [email protected]

Shuttle bus: The nearest train station to the base is Downham Market. CND will run a shuttle to and from the protest from this station – booking a (free) seat is essential. Please email [email protected] if you require a spot, with the time that your train arrives.

Relaunch of Leeds CND this Thursday!

Leeds MP Richard Burgon and CND General Secretary, Sophie Bolt, will be speaking at the relaunch meeting of Leeds CND, this Thursday, 5 February. In “Stopping Trump’s wars and the new nuclear dangers,” they’ll be addressing Donald Trump’s belligerent foreign policy and why we need to close down US bases in Britain. If you live in and around Leeds please do get along to help strengthen CND's vital campaigning work.

Thursday, 5 February
6:30pm – 8:00pm
The Attic, 3 Sheaf Street, Leeds LS10 1HD, get tickets here