Do we want militarised schools? Cadet forces, ‘independent’ evaluations and defence agendas in education
With the government's pledge to create more cadet units in schools we look at the politics of cadet force expansion, the research that has supported it, and what is wrong with militarising education.
A ‘chief of staff’ and ‘enduring relationships’: The advance of military interests in Parliament
As the Labour Government enters its second year we take a look at how the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme has expanded during their rule, and aspects of its influence that we have uncovered.
Is this militarist realism? Defence dividends for an ‘armour-clad nation’
In the first of two articles on aspects of the government's recent defence and security reports, Emma Sangster looks at how the strategies reflect an era of 'militarist realism' which seeks to centre and normalise 'Defence' in all of our lives.
York Armed Forces Day: ‘rage-bait’, militarism and the authorised ‘knowers’
York resident Joe Glenton reports on the controversy around York's Armed Forces Day in the national press after it was reported that military equipment had been 'banned' by the local Labour council.
Record number of protests against Armed Forces Day across the UK
Joint press release by ForcesWatch and the Peace Pledge Union
Hope in a time of luminous insanity
Reflecting on this dark time and commemorations of another 80 years ago, Joe Glenton writes on balancing hope and pessimism.
Armed Forces Day is on Saturday 28 June 2025. See here for info and resources.
Should the armed forces encourage young people to interact with weapons and military vehicles? We explore why this is happening and how can it be challenged?
