Ending Dependency Culture:
Why Government support for the arms trade should be cut
The Comprehensive Spending Review heralds significant cuts to public services, public investment and the incomes of millions of people in the UK. However, even though arms can exacerbate conflict, support aggression or increase tension; give succour to an oppressive regime or undermine democracy; or threaten social welfare through the level of military spending, the arms companies continue to enjoy political and financial support from Government.
Three myths underpin this support. In an event jointly hosted by theAPPG on Conflict Issues and the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) Nicholas Gilby and Symon Hill will explain how these myths disguise the arms industry's dependency culture.
Nicholas led CAAT's efforts to expose the long history of corruption at the heart of the UK's arms deals with Saudi Arabia. He is the author of the latest edition of The No-Nonsense Guide to the Arms Trade.
Symon is associate director of Ekklesia, a think-tank which explores the role of values, ethics and religion and in public life. He was CAAT's media spokesperson from 2006-2009 and is currently a member of its Steering Committee.
For details of time and venue please enquire through 'Contact' on this page.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues was officially registered on 21 December 2006. Co-chairs - Simon Hughes MP (Lib Dem), John McDonnell MP (Lab), Gary Streeter MP (Con); Secretary - Jeffrey Donaldson MP (DUP); Treasurer - Andy Slaughter MP (Lab)