CND: The Story of a Peace Movement
Sue Donnelly introduces the archives of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and a project to make them accessible to a wider audience.
We shall seek to persuade British People that Britain must:
a) Renounce unconditionally the use or production of nuclear weapons and refuse to allow their use by others in her defence.
b) Use her utmost endeavour to bring about negotiations at all levels for agreement to end the armaments race and to lead to a general disarmament convention.c) Invite the co-operation of other nations, particularly non-nuclear powers, in her renunciation of nuclear weapons.CND policy statement, February 1958
On February 17th, 1958, some 5,000 people packed into Central Hall, Westminster, filling the main hall along with four overflow rooms. The scale of the meeting indicated the high level of public interest in nuclear issues and as the evening proceeded it was clear that the audience was determined to be radical in its anti-nuclear stance, demanding that Britain act unilaterally in renouncing nuclear weapons as well as encouraging other nations to disarm. Shortly after, CND’s first policy statement was issued.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
