Over the last few weeks, the team at LABRATS has been extremely busy, working on behalf of the nuclear community. Meeting the UK Prime Minister, showcasing a new 30-minute documentary with ICAN in Vienna, and launching a new diary of nuclear testing on our Academy. A lot of work in a few weeks.
We do not do this alone, we work in collaboration with great individuals and organisations that are passionate about nuclear weapons and their effects, and who continue to support our work. There are too many to list individually, but we wanted to highlight a few, who have helped us to achieve these goals over the past few weeks.
The Daily Mirror
The editor of the Daily Mirror, Alison Phillips has pledged her full support for the campaign, they have provided a window to the world of nuclear testing and the effects on the test veterans for decades. The #lookmeintheeye campaign and the Medal for Heroes campaign have been extremely successful, meeting with the PM after 14 months of campaigning.
After the meeting with the Prime Minister, the regional newspapers under the REACH PLC umbrella published stories, ensuring that the campaign was shown regionally, both online and in print. We are extremely grateful and lucky to have such support.
Susie Boniface
Susie Boniface has worked with the test veterans for over 2 decades. Her reporting of the veteran's struggle has been incredible, championing the veteran's cause, working closely with MP's, celebrities, individuals, and organisations to fight for the recognition that the veterans deserve.
Susie also produced a website https://damned.mirror.co.uk/ which shows the human fallout of Britain's Nuclear testing, which if you haven't visited it, is a must.
Without this support, we would not have national and international coverage of the nuclear test veterans' fight for justice. We have worked with Susie for many years and you do not appreciate the number of hours that she dedicates to the nuclear veterans. She has also ensured that the injustice has not been forgotten and will never be forgotten.
Brian Cowden - Crossroads 2020
Brian Cowden has produced many films relating to nuclear testing and its effects on the planet. His work in the Marshall Islands is outstanding. His videos can be viewed on our website - https://www.labrats.international/briancowden
His latest creation is How far from Ground Zero, which premiered at the ICAN Nuclear Ban week in Vienna. It is extremely powerful and thought-provoking.
Rebecca Long-Bailey MP and the Labour Party
Rebecca Long-Bailey and her team have ensured that we met the Prime Minister and have continued to support the campaign and put pressure on the Cabinet Office to ensure that the veterans get the recognition they deserve. Representing Laura Morris and her grandfather, she has enabled the #lookmeintheeye campaign has continued to gain supporters across all political parties. As an MP, she is extremely busy and the time that she has dedicated to this cause is incredible.
After the meeting with Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour party has pledged their full support of the campaign and they have definitely delivered on that promise.
The #loookmeintheeye working group
A dedicated working group is working extremely hard every day to ensure that the campaign continues to push forward. There are many members of this group, who are very passionate about the cause.
These people continue to fight for truth and justice and are ensuring that there is continued pressure from all directions.
Sir John Hayes
Sir John Hayes has been very supportive of the campaign and has ensured that the Conservative government is aware of the campaign and is extremely busy working within Parliament to ensure that the campaign is a success. His support is invaluable to us.
ICAN
As an ICAN partner, we have been able to expose the worldwide communities to the campaign and our educational program through the LABRATS Academy.
Through our partnership, the message of British Nuclear Testing has been heard across the world and we have collaborated with over 600 organisations worldwide.
Bob Farquhar
Bob Farquhar provided the information for our new diary pages on our Academy. The breakdown of the testing program on a daily basis is now available. Bob's input into the diary pages was invaluable and it is now one of the most comprehensive available anywhere in the world.
The LABRATS Team
The LABRATS directors work hard every day, with no remuneration on behalf of the nuclear community. Working with veterans, and descendants and helping families across the world. Interacting with our partners, shop sales, suppliers and ensuring that we continue to make a difference.
Our Supporters
We are thankful to everyone who supports us, making videos, attending seminars, sharing posts, writing to MP's, attending the All-Tests-Reunion, volunteering, and ensuring that the nuclear veterans are not forgotten, we could not do it without you.
70 years of injustice needs to end this year.
We are grateful to everyone for their offers of support and help. Most recently we were inundated with requests to be part of the meeting with the PM. This meeting was arranged by Rebecca Long-Bailey MP and the #lookmeintheeye working group, we only had a specific number of spaces and we could not accommodate everyone, we wish we could have included everyone.
For every veteran and their family that has undertaken interviews, written letters, and has supported this campaign, we are truly grateful. It is about recognition, we are not there yet, we are working very closely with the Office for Veteran Affairs on the recognition package, but we still need to push for recognition until it actually happens.
New research from Brunel University will be released very soon and we await the DNA results from the veterans and their families. This research could make a difference to the campaign and prove that the offspring have been affected, but it has not yet been released, so we cannot comment on it. A preliminary report is available from the Brunel website - https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/Nuclear-test-veteran-family-trios-enabling-genetic-studies-described
We still have a few free places available for the All Tests Reunion at Pontins, Sand-Bay, Weston-Super-Mare. If you have never been, you can find out more on our website - https://www.labrats.international/atr
Further details of the campaign and the outcome of our discussions with the UK Government will be posted as soon as we have them.
Thank you all for your support over these very busy few weeks.
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