Thursday, 20 November 2025
Stepping Back from the Brink – The Myths of Tactical Nuclear Weapons and Limited Nuclear War
Calder Valley CND public meeting
Hebden Bridge Town Hall from 7.30 pm
Tuesday 2nd December
Calder Valley CND will discuss a significant new report, Stepping Back from the Brink – The Myths of Tactical Nuclear Weapons and Limited Nuclear War, at a public event on Tuesday 2nd December. The event will explore the growing dangers posed by tactical nuclear weapons, the erosion of the nuclear taboo, and how the UK could play a critical role in reducing global nuclear risks.
It takes place at a time of growing international tension following Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine, Donald Trump announcing that the USA will resume nuclear testing and the UK Government committing to buy 12 F35A planes which will have the capacity to deliver B61 tactical nuclear weapons.
Hosted by Calder Valley CND, the event will feature a presentation by the Chair of the independent charity, the Nuclear Education Trust and long time resident of Hebden Bridge, Steve Barwick, and a keynote speech from Caroline Lucas, the former leader of the Green Party and Vice President of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
The new report offers a comprehensive analysis of the policies and practices of all nuclear-armed states and exposes the dangerous misconception that "tactical" nuclear weapons could be used in a limited or controlled way. With many of these weapons having explosive yields far greater than the bombs used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the report argues that any nuclear detonation - regardless of scale - would lead to military escalation and have catastrophic humanitarian, environmental, and geopolitical consequences.
The report also examines whether the long-standing nuclear taboo is being eroded. It also highlights the collapse of key arms-control agreements and moves towards nuclear modernisation across the main five countries with nuclear weapons: USA, Russia, China, the UK and France.
With the Doomsday Clock at its closest point to midnight in 50 years, the report argues that cooperation, transparency, diplomacy, and crisis-management mechanisms must be restored.
In advance of the 2026 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the report identifies four steps the UK should take to help rebuild global security, including rejecting NATO nuclear sharing, adopting a no-first-use policy, and reinvigorating high-level diplomacy.
The meeting is open to the public with no need to book.