This Alternative Defence Review was proposed and undertaken by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in response to the RMT union's decision to convene a labour and peace movement summit to work out the basis of a new foreign policy which would promote peace and social justice.
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| The Alternative Defence Review, published in May 2025 |
It is so refreshing to read a document that offers a new vision for peace, justice, and security - and challenges the war narrative that is becoming louder and louder, played out by the political elites, the military-industrial complex, and the mainstream media.
In summary, the Review shows how militarization:
- distorts national priorities
- fuels global instability
- undermines international law
- harms the environment
- diverts investment from public services and social infrastructure.
Increased military expenditure will be economically inefficient, environmentally destructive, and socially regressive, offering limited job creation while stifling a more sustainable and just economy.
We need a significantly demilitarized defence strategy rooted in human security and common security - prioritizing diplomacy, global cooperation, conflict prevention, and investment in health, education, climate resilience, social care, and the creation of well-paid, secure, unionized and socially useful jobs.
We call for:
- a significant reduction in military spending
- an immediate halt to arms exports to countries involved in active conflict or human rights abuses (including Israel and Gulf states)
- a Just Transition for defence-dependent workers and communities.
Unfortunately, the present Labour Government plans to increase defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP, financing this escalation by cutting international aid and domestic welfare - directly undermining
