no war on russia motion

no war on russia motion.md

Even before this horrendous chemical attack in Salisbury, this Government has been following a dangerous and aggressive line of rhetoric and action that will inevitably escalate conflict between the UK and Russia. In the context of the Syrian War, where Britain and Russia are supporting opposing sides in a proxy war[1], the majority of the casualties of this escalation will likely be Syrian.

This Constituency Labour Party believes that the line taken by the Labour Leadership, to require evidence of Russian involvement before taking action is correct but we must go further. Escalating conflict MUST be ruled out, regardless of the origin of the attack. The Government and Labour must not fight fire with fire, it must stop and choose a path that leads to peace rather than one that taken to it's conclusion, will end in war[2].

This Constituency Labour Party therefore calls on the Prime Minister, Theresa May, for restraint and de-escalation in words and actions towards Russia, and must stop military drills and exercises intended to intimidate[3][4].

[1] Section 63. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmdfence/106/106.pdf

[2] "Russia says U.S. plans to strike Damascus, pledges military response" https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-usa/russia-says-u-s-plans-to-strike-damascus-pledges-military-response-idUKKCN1GP0U4

[3] "British troops arrive in Estonia to deter Russian aggression in one of biggest deployments to region in decades " https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/18/british-troops-arrive-estonia-deter-russian-aggression-one-biggest/

[4] Artic Navy Exercises https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/incredible-moment-huge-british-navy-submarine-bursts-through-arctic-ice-amid-rising-tensions-with-a3792471.html

Hello Comrades

I wasn't sure where to paste this to get some level or privacy before this motion goes out so it ended up here. The aim of this motion is to voice anti-war sentiment from within the membership, support Jeremy Corbyns request for evidence, and give a membership mandate to be more strongly anti-war and against escalation of conflict.

This could definitely be improved so please feel free to comment here or in DM (twitter @andy_till). What we're asking for could definitely use some work, of course I don't expect anything from the Tories, it is all about what Labour can do about the situation!

MP Chris Williamson saying Labour "Moderates" want to go to war https://twitter.com/chunkymark/status/974356660243353600

Examples of escalating conflict between UK and Russia

British troops stationed and take part in war drills in Estonia, bordering Russia.

RAF strike kills 62 Syrian Government troops

From this publication by the House of Commons Defence Committee UK military operations in Syria and Iraq 2016-2017. Ruth Smeeth is part of the committee that has signed a letter backing Theresa May. Section 63.

The UK had also deployed 86 military personnel to assist the US-led training of Syrian opposition forces regarded as moderates. The US-led programme to train and equip Syrian rebels started in Spring 2015.

In the quote by the Secretary of State (named elsewhere?), he noted that the UK was also gifting equipment to Ukraine. Further involvement in proxy wars against Russia. Section 64.

for example, in terms of battlefield medicine and some basic equipment that is not lethal, is not interfering with the civil war, just as we provided similar equipment to the Ukrainian army, for example

In section 65. Only military gifts individually "in excess of £300,000" are noted in the document. No gifts to Syrian forces are noted so either they are under £300k or they are given to Syrian forces while being trained in Jordan or Turkey mentioned in section 64.

Section 115, Russia is launching airstrikes against the UKs own proxy forces.

The Assad regime and its supporters have largely concentrated on fighting those forces trying to overthrow it. Despite Russia citing DAESH as a reason for engaging in airstrikes, we have been told that the vast majority of its targets have been opposition groups unaffiliated with DAESH.

Section 118. Russian Airstrikes have allowed Syrian forces to concentrate action against DAESH. DAESH being the main target of UK strikes. Therefore by supporting moderate rebels, Britain is also indirectly supporting DAESH.

One explanation given for this is that, without the need to defend itself against the opposition, the Assad regime is able to focus on the threat posed by DAESH.

US and Russia threaten military action to protect their proxies. Russia says U.S. plans to strike Damascus, pledges military response

Arctic War Games https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/incredible-moment-huge-british-navy-submarine-bursts-through-arctic-ice-amid-rising-tensions-with-a3792471.html (17/3/2018)

This motion was overwhelmingly carried on 23/03/2018.

This was the presentation of the motion.

Comrades

Without a doubt the chemical attack in Salisbury is a human tragedy.

What this motion is calling for, is that this is our lowest ebb and not the beginning of a new round of cold war.

A war with Russia, even a cold one may seem "impossible" yet we are already in a proxy war in Syria. Britain funds supposed "moderate" rebels against the Syrian Government. Britain bombs their faction while they bomb ours.

To not link this attack, Theresa May's war diplomacy in Europe and the war in Syria is to say political events happen in a vacuum. Without a doubt the Tories are using this incident as an opportunity to escalate hostility against Russia.

British Governments have been willing to engage in disastrous military adventures, including under our own watch. As a Party, we should use our experience make sure we don't sleep walk into another catastrophe.

“United we succeed against Russia”

"As a European democracy, the UK will stand shoulder to shoulder with the EU and with NATO to face these threats together."

https://news.sky.com/story/theresa-may-to-tell-eu-leaders-united-we-succeed-against-russia-11299360

“During the Cold War there were rules. Now I am not optimistic for the peaceful future of the world”. - Bulgarian Premier

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5887092/europes-leaders-agree-to-blow-up-vladimir-putins-spy-network-after-theresa-may-shares-bombshell-mi6-secrets-with-them/