An appreciation of Bruce Kent

Early day motion 158, tabled 13 June 2022 by Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party). Signed by 31 members.

That this House remembers the life and achievements of Bruce Kent whilst mourning his passing; notes that Bruce Kent was a peace campaigner who served as a Vice-President of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, a Vice-President of Pax Christi, and Emeritus President of the Movement for the Abolition of War; notes that after national service in the Royal Tank Regiment and receiving a law degree at Brasenose College, Oxford, he was then ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Westminster; further notes that it was his Christian faith that brought him to reject nuclear weapons as fundamentally immoral; highlights that even without their use, nuclear deterrence itself depends on a willingness to commit mass murder; recognises that Bruce Kent served as general secretary and then chair of CND in the 1980s and that his leadership was the embodiment of integrity, creativity and sheer determination, becoming a vocal critic of defence policy when public opposition to the acquisition of Trident and cruise missiles was escalating; further recognises that his commitment to innumerable peace and human rights campaigns over many decades was inspirational to many; and extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Bruce Kent and his friends

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 17, Labour 6, Independent 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Green 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.