Politicians protest at Faslane. Democracy is alive!

Well done to Plaid's Leanne Wood AM and Jill Evans MEP for taking part in the Faslane protests today. They took part in the campaign Faslane 365- a continuous peaceful blockade of the trident base at Faslane, Scotland. It started in October 2006, and will end in September 2007. Faslane 365 is a protest against the renewal of trident, which at a cost of over £20bn will be totally unethical. Money could be well spent on our failing health service and our education system as opposed to an outdated and aggressive nuclear weapon.

I understand that Leanne Wood and Jill Evans have been arrested alongside another 30 Politicians, some from the Scottish Parliament, Rosie Kane of the SSP being one of them. It's exciting to see that Politicians are still taking part in direct action- an effective way of protesting and of raising awareness of important political issues. So few Politicians take part in direct action as they belittle its effect, but if you look back over the centuries, some of the most effective campaigns have been of the non-violent direct action kind. Where would we be without the Suffragettes, for example, or Rosa Parks? The list goes on.

It is typical that a Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament said today that the protest was directed at the wrong place, and that people should 'focus on Westminster- where the decision is being made.' Well, we all know that Tony Blair is intent on pushing through the retention of trident. Surely such protests will place the issue of nuclear arms at the top of the political agenda, and create a more balanced debate in Westminster? And surely, Tony, if we want to be the shining light of democracy and peace in the world, should we not reject the development of more nuclear arms, and the inevitable arms race that will follow?

The protests will continue, and if you wish to join the campaign as many pressure groups, civil rights groups and Political Parties have done, then go to the website www.faslane365.org for more information on how to get active. To see the BBC's article of the protest, go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6239435.stm