Pacifists are being elbowed out of British politics just when we need them most

Ukrainians living in London and anti-war protesters demonstrate outside Downing Street against the Russian invasion, London, 26 February. Photograph: Thomas Krych/SOPA Images/Rex/Shutterstock

It’s a strange time to be a pacifist in Britain. Everywhere there are calls for an end to the war in Ukraine: from politicians to Premier League footballers to hand-painted pleas for peace in people’s front windows. The illegitimacy and brutality of the Russian invasion make it very easy to condemn.

Yet at the same time, some of Britain’s most longstanding peace activists are being attacked and threatened. The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, has accused the Stop the War coalition, which has opposed conflicts for more than 20 years, of being “at best … naive” and “at worst … showing solidarity with the aggressor”.