On 3rd July 2025, peace campaigners from around the UK held an online discussion with Russian conscientious objectors (COs) who are refusing to fight in the war in Ukraine.
Peace campaigners are calling on the UK government to hold the British Armed Forces to account for systemic abuse within their ranks and to halt planned rises in military spending.
Joint press release by ForcesWatch and the Peace Pledge Union
Peace campaigners have welcomed the news that there will be no national event for Armed Forces Day this year, as no local councils have come forward to host it.
British pacifists have said they will refuse to join or in any way support the military under the Tories’ plans to reintroduce national service, if the scheme is ever implemented.
Earlier this year, when the head of the British army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, called for a “citizen army” to prepare for a ground war with Russia, military conscription was suddenly in the headlines, pushed by right-wing commentators and hawkish politicians.
An Israeli conscientious objector, due to speak at an event in London today to mark International Conscientious Objectors' Day, has called for support and solidarity for conscientious objectors facing persecution around the world.
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been accused of ramping up global tensions with his pledge to increase UK military spending by £75bn over six years.
General Sir Patrick Sanders' call for a 'citizen army', raising the prospect of military conscription, reflect the increasingly aggressive militarism of the UK political establishment, as well as the broader rise of everyday militarism in the UK.
