Members of the Culture & Communities Committee discussed a motion brought by Green councillor Ben Parker which aimed to prohibit this practice, prompted by outcry last year over arms firm Leonardo testing equipment in the Braid Hills. It is bitterly disappointing that the motion was defeated.
Cllr Ben Parker said:
“Today, councillors had a chance to stand up for peace and instead chose inaction. Despite community objections and a clear moral imperative, the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties have voted to continue to allow arms manufacturers to test their equipment in our beautiful, publicly owned, green spaces.
I’m obviously disappointed in the decision made today, but Green councillors will continue to push for Edinburgh to be a city which stands up for justice and doesn’t bend to the whims of companies who profit from war.”
Speaking about his motion before the meeting, Cllr Parker said:
“The council has taken a strong stance on opposing advertising and sponsorship from arms manufacturers, and it is completely hypocritical to then allow these same companies to use our beautiful public space to test their equipment.
At a time when we are witnessing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, we should not be supporting companies who profit from arms sales to the Israeli Government in any way. When news of testing in the Braid Hills emerged last year, the local community were clear in their opposition, and I hope councillors from all parties will see sense and make sure this kind of thing can never happen again in Edinburgh.”
Despite previously supporting the council’s stance against companies which profit from war, Liberal Democrat councillors submitted an amendment to Cllr Parker’s motion opposing its asks. Responding to this amendment, Cllr Parker said:
“I understand that some other parties might be nervous about taking a moral stance on an issue like this. With Holyrood elections on the horizon closely followed by council elections in 2027, some will be more focused on appeasing damaging industries based in their wards than in doing what’s right. I would urge all councillors on the committee to vote with their conscience.”
In a written deputation submitted in advance of the committee meeting, the Chair of the Friends of the Braid Hills Group, Elaine Le Geyt-Anderson, said:
“As Chair of Friends of the Braid Hills I have stated clearly to the Council, as stakeholders, that we strongly oppose the use of Edinburgh greenspaces, gifted to the people of Edinburgh, to be used in this way by a company which manufactures components which kill children and bomb hospitals.
It is unbearable to watch news on our televisions seeing children maimed & orphaned by equipment manufactured in Edinburgh and now tested on the Braid Hills. This testing includes using the Braid Hills as a 6km line of sight from the Leonardo lab in Crewe Toll for its targeting systems.”
The statement ends with a reiteration of their support for Cllr Parker’s motion:
“The new Park Management Rules must reflect a clear decision never to give permission to any arms manufacturer for the testing of components or equipment on the Braid Hills or any other of Edinburgh’s beautiful greenspaces which were gifted to the city for our enjoyment and wellbeing.”