PLAID CYMRU’S Defence Spokesperson, Jonathan Edwards MP, has spearheaded a campaign to stop the use of troops on the streets and the imposition of ‘martial law’ post-Brexit.
Working with the Peace Pledge Union, Mr Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, has tabled a motion calling for the Defence Secretary to rule out the use of armed forces personnel for police functions or for social control, and to make clear that the imposition of martial law is not under consideration.
In December 2018, No. 10 sources said that 3,500 armed forces personnel were being put on standby to deal with any disruption in the event of a disorderly departure from the EU. In January, The Sunday Times revealed that Whitehall officials have been gaming a state of emergency and even the introduction of martial law in the event of disorder after a no-deal Brexit.
Alongside the motion – known as an Early Day Motion – Mr Edwards also tabled a series of questions to the Secretary of State for Defence seeking to clarify whether he has any plans to impose martial law and if he will rule out the use of troops on the streets in place of police.
As well as serious concerns about the economic and democratic implications of imposing martial law, Mr Edwards questioned whether the army is appropriately equipped to deal with roles normally reserved for the police or civil agencies.
The effects of police cuts and whether this plan puts the public at risk must be considered, the Plaid Cymru MP said. The last time states of emergency were declared in the UK was in the early 1970s to deal with the effects of strikes in essential services.
Plaid Cymru’s Defence Spokesperson, Jonathan Edwards MP, said: “It is both absurd and terrifying in equal measure that the British state is considering putting soldiers on the streets as a result of their own bungled Brexit policy. The British Government must clarify the mission statement it has sent accompanying the call up and calling for it to be published.
“Martial law is probably the most serious domestic decision any government could make and is not to be taken lightly.
“The economic effect of imposing a state of emergency would be catastrophic. That is not to mention the democratic and social implications.
“Of course, brutal police cuts have left our law enforcement services with little or no spare capacity. Replacing them with soldiers is, however, neither sensible nor safe – they do not have the appropriate training, experience or, fundamentally, function in our society.
“Contemplating putting soldiers on the street is surely proof enough that the Westminster Government cannot continue with their dangerous deal or no deal gamble.
“Imposing martial law wasn’t on the side of a big red bus in the 2016 referendum. Now the facts have come to the fore, it’s time the people had the opportunity to make an informed decision and the chance to stop this Brexit mess.”
Symon Hill, spokesperson for the Peace Pledge Union, said: “Gavin Williamson has so far failed to deny reports that the UK government is looking at using troops for social control, or even considering martial law in the event of civil unrest.
The chaos over Brexit must not be used to present the armed forces as the only institutions that can save us in a crisis. Both leavers and remainers emphasise their belief in democracy. A democratic society is not a militarised society. Sending troops onto the streets is no alternative to listening to people’s grievances.”
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