Don't pay for all-out war in Ukraine!
Don't pay for a march towards nuclear war!
(Belfast Anti War Group)
28 October 2022
The Westminster political system is in chaos. Billions have been pumped into the bond market. Rishi Sunak has been brought in to stabilise the economy and has made clear that this involves major austerity. Stormont remains in limbo and everyone agrees that a massive cash input from Westminster is needed to prevent the collapse of the NHS, and that this is unlikely to happen.
Austerity
The slogan seems to be: Not a cent for the workers! Billions for War! That is impacting all of us, increasing chaos in the world economy, playing a part in the rising cost of energy and food. And the response by the UK government looks to be substantial cuts to public sector funding as it increases arms spending by over £150 billion.
Winter
The biggest problem over winter will be energy costs. The energy price cap has been cut back and there is a danger that people will freeze to death. We should end the boycott of Russian oil and gas. This is a direct intervention in a proxy war that does not benefit Ukrainians and is clearly having a great effect on European workers.
Dirty Bombs
Hair raising stories appear every day about the possible use of a dirty bomb and an escalation towards nuclear war. The arrival of the 101st Airborne Division and the British deployment in Germany are massive steps towards direct conflict.
Should we just stand by?
The Belfast Anti War Group has always opposed the Russian invasion and one of our demands is that Russian troops withdraw from Ukraine immediately. But we are not blind to the role of the US and NATO, enthusiastically supported by the UK.
Withdrawal
The role of the Western Powers has been to oppose negotiations for peace but rather to pour more weapons into the region, supplying billions of pounds worth of military support and increasing the militarisation of the Ukraine. Beyond that NATO is setting up a new command centre for the war in Germany. The strategy is to prolong and deepen the war.
Peace
All wars end in negotiated settlements and we need this war to stop and the establishment of peace negotiations immediately. This would be in the interests of the Ukrainian and Russian people and those of us at home who will bear the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis and the drive to war.