As the world solemnly marks the 78th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we find ourselves confronting a stark reality: armed conflict is far from a historical phenomenon. With Russia’s ongoing engagement in Ukraine, the possibility of nuclear warfare is once again seeping into our consciousness.
Against this backdrop, I sat down with Tom Franklin, chair of the York Green Party and renowned anti-arms activist, to discuss the Green Party’s evolving stance on Nato, nuclear arms, and its role in an increasingly tumultuous world.
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in between 129,000 and 226,000 deaths, primarily civilians. “These memorial days are sober reminders of the unimaginable human suffering that nuclear weapons can inflict”, says Franklin. In the context of the present Russian-Ukrainian conflict, he believes they “underline the urgent need for global disarmament and peace keeping via diplomatic, not military, channels”.
Green Party’s shift on Nato: adapting to the current geopolitical landscape
A primary subject of our discussion was the Green Party’s evolving stance on Nato, part of a review of the party’s peace, security and defence policy. “Our party has historically viewed Nato with scepticism, both due to its heavy reliance on military intervention, and because it has not been used purely defensively but also to impose Western hegemony”, Franklin began. However, earlier this year, in a significant policy shift, the members of the Green Party of England and Wales voted to revise their position on the organisation.
Franklin recounted, “Prior to the vote, our policy stated that Nato was ‘not a sustainable mechanism for maintaining peace in the world’, and we advocated for taking the UK out of Nato. But the membership of the party believe that the current geopolitical situation necessitated a reassessment”.
In light of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the escalating global tensions, the Green Party recognises the role of Nato in securing the safety of its member states. However, this does not denote an uncritical endorsement. “The use of force should always be a last resort and there needs to be a much greater emphasis on peacebuilding and diplomacy to prevent and resolve conflicts, particularly where nuclear weapons are concerned”, Franklin explains. Furthermore, the Greens advocate for a greater focus on outreach and dialogue and a firm commitment to upholding human rights in all Nato operations.
The Green Party’s journey towards nuclear disarmament
The party’s vision for a reformed Nato includes a ‘no first use’ nuclear policy, emphasising their commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament.
When asked about the Green Party’s journey on nuclear arms, Franklin explained that it has been one of steady commitment to disarmament. The party has been a stalwart supporter of the 1968 United Nations nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Recently, however, it has stepped up its advocacy for complete disarmament, calling for the UK to join the UN treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons, which came into force in January 2021. “It’s time for the UK to join the global community in removing the threat of nuclear war once and for all”, Franklin urges.
Green parties across Europe: shared visions, diverse strategies
The topic of the arms trade, a subject close to Franklin’s heart, naturally surfaced during our conversation. Franklin laid out the Green Party’s position in no uncertain terms:
“We support the full implementation of the arms trade treaty and advocate for more states to ratify it. The UK’s production of military material should be confined to its own defensive needs and treaty obligations, and its export strictly controlled. While the government claims that we have strict rules on the export of arms there are so many loopholes that we have been exporting weapons knowing that they will be used to commit war crimes.”
Green parties across Europe, Franklin says, share this commitment to a nuclear-free world. While acknowledging the diverse socio-political contexts across Europe, he notes a growing trend towards advocating for disarmament and non-proliferation treaties among Greens on the continent. “Our goal is clear – a Europe, and indeed a world, free from the threat of nuclear war.”
The future of Green Party amid rising geopolitical tensions
The last question of our interview was the most forward-looking: what role does the Green Party envision for itself amid rising geopolitical tensions? Franklin’s response was both idealistic and pragmatic. “As the Green Party, we stand for peace, diplomacy, respect for human rights, and international cooperation”, he says. “We are committed to advocating for nuclear disarmament, more stringent control of the arms trade, and a realignment of Nato’s policy to be more in tune with these commitments.”
In a world that seems ever more volatile and unpredictable, Franklin’s words give us cause for hope. As we reflect on the tragic consequences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and as we watch the troubling developments in Ukraine, the Green Party’s commitment to a peaceful, nuclear-free world is a message that resonates more strongly than ever.
