What’s the difference between Keir Starmer and Ian Murray? | The National

Janet Fenton

One is the UK Government’s Prime Minister, selected for the job by the Labour Party in the UK, and the other is the Secretary of State for Scotland in the UK Government, appointed by the Prime Minister.

This week in New York, the Treaty for The Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is under discussion by the 94 UN member states that have signed up to it.

Contributing to their discussions on the treaty, along with the diplomats, are civil society campaigners, academics and most importantly, survivors of nuclear weapons’ use and testing.

These people make up much of the International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) who want nothing less than the prohibition of all nuclear weapons by all UN member states, leading to their global elimination.

But what has this to do with Scotland? Especially while it is only the UK Government that can legislate for or against the deployment of the nuclear weapons at Faslane and Coulport?

That takes us back to the original question. What’s the difference between Keir Starmer and Ian Murray?

One says: “If ever there was a time to reaffirm support for the nuclear deterrent, it is now.

“We mustn’t reduce our security and defence. I think it is a completely wrong-headed decision they [advocates of nuclear disarmament within the SNP] should reconsider.”

The other wrote to constituents: “I believe that nuclear disarmament is not only a global public good of the highest order but also an essential step towards ensuring peace and security for all nations.”

In the same letter, Murray commented that “attending the Third Meeting of States Parties [3MSP] as an observer state would be a constructive step forward”.

“Not only would this position acknowledge the legitimacy and importance of the TPNW in the broader disarmament dialogue, but it would also affirm the UK’s ability to engage with international norms and aspirations constructively.”

He pointed out “the benefits that such a move would bring in terms of improving the UK’s global reputation and reflecting the interconnectedness of our citizens with the broader international community”.

Given Keir Starmer’s statement, it would be surprising if one of his government ministers suggests that the UK should immediately attend 3MSP and sign the TPNW.However, given that Ian Murray signed the ICAN parliamentarian pledge to work to advance the treaty and its objectives it is not surprising that he opines that “the UK’s experience and expertise, particularly in areas relevant to Articles 4, 6, and 7, mean we have much to contribute to discussions on verification of disarmament and addressing the impact of nuclear testing, including in places where the UK has historical responsibilities”.

He adds: “Being an observer at 3MSP [my emphasis] could indeed be the beginning of valuable and positive engagement in these processes.

“Given the commitment outlined in the ICAN pledge, I will certainly advocate for the UK’s attendance as an observer at 3MSP. I shall engage with my colleagues in Parliament and will communicate these sentiments to relevant government officials.

“I hope that such advocacy will prompt a reconsideration of the current approach and encourage the government to take this significant step towards global disarmament efforts.”

These words were very encouraging to disarmament campaigners in Scotland after not receiving responses on the topic in the run up to the election last year – other than one that only mentioned his commitment to UK nuclear weapons policy (which claims to be based on compliance with the earlier Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty but not to the TPNW).

This encouragement from the Secretary for State for Scotland was felt by the Scottish supporters of disarmament, (that includes the Scottish Government, Parliament and many of our MSPs).

It led to re-issuing an invitation to Murray (and other Scottish MPs) to attend 3MSP – and in particular to participate in the parliamentarians’ conference arranged on the first day, in order for supportive legislators from around the world to come together and renew their commitment and consider actions to advance the aims of the TPNW.

We have not heard from Murray as to how his efforts in communication with the relevant officials and his colleagues in the parliament went, or what responses he received. That feedback would still be welcomed.

Bill Kidd MSP, convenor of the Scottish Parliament cross party group on nuclear disarmament, is currently in New York and spoke at the parliamentarians’ conference, contributing to the joint statement that will be delivered on Tuesday by the parliamentarian from French Polynesia, Hinamoeura Cross, herself a survivor of French nuclear weapons testing.

Will the difference between Keir Starmer and Ian Murray help Scotland to contribute to global security and an end to the nuclear threat?