Dear friend,

On Wednesday at midnight, the Labour Party will close its consultation asking what issues it should prioritise in its 2019 General Election Manifesto.

If you are a Labour member or supporter, call on Labour to commit to ending government support for arms sales, which fuel conflict and oppression.  ([link removed]  

Here are some points you can make, in your own words:

1. Stop using public money to promote weapons sales 

Close the Government's arms sales department which employs 150 staff to push weapons sales globally; end Ministry of Defence-funded ‘campaigns’ promoting arms equipment; and make arms companies pay the insurance on arms exports, not the taxpayer.

2. Stop selling arms to countries in conflict or violating human rights

End all arms sales to Saudi Arabia, where UK fighter planes and missiles have been used in the war on Yemen. Figures published today show that the Government has licensed £2 billion worth of arms sales to repressive regimes since 2017. The Labour Party has rightly criticised these sales, and should pledge to end them.

3. Improve Parliamentary scrutiny of UK weapons sales

The existing Parliamentary Committees on Arms Export Controls are utterly failing in their role of holding the government to account. For a truly rigorous and robust arms export system we need a full Select Committee on Arms Export Controls with an elected, paid chair, and staff team.

4. Create jobs in renewable energy and low carbon technology industries

As part of a new industrial strategy, a Defence Diversification Agency should build on the skills of arms industry workers to create good quality, alternative jobs that make the world a safer place.

5. Rethink how we define ‘security’

A new Government must radically rethink its understanding of ‘security’, going beyond military problems with military solutions, which only make the world a more dangerous place. Resources should be invested in addressing the real causes of insecurity.

ADD YOUR VOICE NOW ([link removed]

 [link removed]

If youre a member or supporter of another political party, we'll let you know about other ways you can keep up the pressure soon. For now, thank you for all that you do.

Warmly

Caroline 
CAMPAIGN AGAINST ARMS TRADE

P.S. FOR MORE IN DEPTH INFORMATION ON WHAT TO SAY, CHECK OUT OUR ELECTION 2019 ([link removed] PAGES.
--
To view this message in a browser: [link removed]
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, email [email protected]
To opt out of all our mailing lists, email [email protected]