How do you turn a “yes” for spending £97 billion on Trident into a good result?

It was a good start – I met a lady at the bus stop and sought her view on spending the £97 billion – a clear “no”. The the bus came... The bus driver began the conversation “What’s all that about?", pointing to the placards. So I explained.... "well yes" he said, "obviously, if Iran gets the bomb, then we’ll be happy to have spent double that". Not quite the cue I wanted. So I sat down. And the bus driver continued .. “so where are you going to protest? Up to London?”.  “No, outside the Bentall centre”. “I only asked because if you were famous, I’d get your autograph”...

By this time the rest of the people on the bus were interested. The bus driver continued to explain his point of view – loudly. But the debate had started. I could hear voices behind me (did you see that Panorama/Newsnight programme...?”) to their neighbours. My new friend of yesterday when I visited the Tamil Centre for Community Development in another hat got on the bus. I asked her  “would you spend £97 billion on replacing Trident"? .... “Well, no”, she said.“If you do something bad you have to do something good to put it right isn’t it?”.. she added. The other passengers  began to smile and nod. I had to get off but the K5 debate continued. Maybe K5 passengers for Airplot next week?

Meanwhile I met up with Ingrid, a fellow Greenpeace supporter, and Noel – willingly co-opted Chairman of the Kingston Peace Council – outside the Bentall Centre. We donned tabards and placards and began asking the Big Question. We all had different styles. Ingrid quietly got in people’s faces. I tried the “You’ve heard of the ten thousand dollar question, this is the 97 billion pound question”. Noel was a street trader bellowing “do you want to spend 97 billion pounds on trident?” “How’s it going?”  I asked Noel some time later. “I’m having a lot of trouble getting people to say “yes” he replied.

Which was the story of the day. 120 said “no”. 8 said “yes”. And we had some thoughtful and interesting conversations with some of the yes voters. And some brilliant support from the no voters including some who may join our network. Roll on our outings in Twickenham and Richmond Parkconstituencies.

If any activists would like to join us next time, just get in touch....

Jo