UCU slams Swansea and Cardiff unis for joining MoD ‘defence’ alliance

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The Ministry of Defence initiative was launched in July 2025 by former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer as part of his drive to put the economy on a “war footing,” going on to attract 35 universities as founding members.

Among them, Cardiff and Swansea stand as the only two from Wales and University and College Union (UCU) branches at both institutions have passed motions slamming the move.

Calling for a focus on “poverty, inequality and the climate crisis,” the motion’s proposer at Swansea UCU said: “Universities should be spaces where research is driven by society’s most pressing needs, not by industries that profit from violence and suffering.”

A Cardiff UCU executive committee member said: “Students from conflict areas have shared with us how they feel excluded and deeply affected by the university inviting arms manufacturers to campus that make the very weapons that were used to kill and maim members of their families and communities.

“What does it say about the leadership of a university that they are consciously pledging to hurt members of the university community to benefit financially?”

A Cardiff University spokesperson responded: “We support our colleagues undertaking activity aligned to defence, security and resilience.

“Membership of the DUA means that we are part of a co-ordinated, national approach that ensures best-practice defence research, innovation and skills development.”

The Swansea University commented: “We are confident that our membership will create new opportunities for collaboration, skills development and innovation, and are committed to engaging with our students and staff, including our campus unions, as these opportunities emerge.”

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