UCU: Welfare not Warfare

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes
1. The intensified climate of war following Trump’s election.
2. Politicians’ claim that ‘we are in an era of rearmament’ and the call for
European countries to boost their spending on ‘defence’.
3. Starmer’s intention to cut other budgets to increase military spending.
4. Starmer’s commitment to send British troops to Ukraine.
Congress believes that
a. The slogan ‘welfare not warfare’ remains central to trade unionism.
b. Increased military spending inevitably means cuts to education, health and
welfare budgets.
c. Involvement of British troops in Ukraine will escalate conflict rather than
making the world safer.
Congress resolves to
i. Oppose the involvement of UK troops in the Ukraine conflict, even in a
‘peacekeeping’ role.
ii. Campaign vigorously with other unions and organisations to oppose
increases to military spending