Peace campaigners aim to end arms spending in Wales

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Plaid Senedd member Kiera Marshall opened the meeting and said its focus was on the CND Cymru document Beyond the War Economy — a Sustainable Proposal for Wales.

“This is an interesting time in Wales with the Welsh government looking to develop an ethical arms policy,” Ms Marshall said.

CND Cymru vice-chairwoman Jill Evans said: “CND Cymru has published Beyond the War Economy to look at the role of the military and society and to put forward a different approach.

“The report highlights how public investment and defence could be redirected towards socially useful sectors without sacrificing jobs or livelihoods.

“It presents an alternative vision for Wales and calls on the Welsh government to work with trade unions, local authorities, and civil society to develop a framework for communities affected by defence restructuring,” Ms Evans said.

The veteran peace campaigner said that to persuade communities to move away from military investment and production, the movement has to show that it can offer a better future for them.

Ms Evans also said that the campaign needs to find out how much money is put into the education sector at all levels by the military.

She said CND Cymru welcomed the Welsh government’s proposal for an ethical framework for engagement with the defence sector and said it was a step in the right direction.

Stop the War Cymru convener Dominic MacAskill said: “I’m going to focus on the war in Ukraine and how it is shaping the politics of Europe in a way which is damaging for the working class.

“It is this war which is obsessing European leaders who are focusing increased defence spending on the dangers of a supposed Russian threat to the whole continent.”

Mr MacAskill said the increased defence spending was being funded by cuts to social spending and worsening working conditions.

“It is crucial that we understand the connection between the war in Ukraine, increased war spending and cuts to welfare.”

Welsh peace campaign group Heddwch ar Waith’s Robat Idris said he took a pragmatic approach where people “can do things step by step to improve things.

“The arms trade is part of a global economy, and that makes our task enormous — but in Wales we have the opportunity to make a difference.”

Plaid Cymru Conference 2026 / 1 October 2026 Plaid Cymru must look Beyond the War Economy to a better future for Wales 1 October 2026 The Welsh government needs to address the concerns of the peace movement and ensure its actions match its stated principles, argues DYLAN LEWIS-ROWLANDS