Women and Families for Defence explained

Women and Families for Defence was a Conservative-aligned pressure group originally founded in March 1983^[1] as Women for Defence.^[2] It was founded in opposition to the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp^[3] and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament,^[4] and aimed to oppose arguments in favour of unilateral nuclear disarmament.

It was reportedly founded by Lady Olga Maitland, Ann Widdecombe,^{[5] [6]} Virginia Bottomley and Angela Rumbold^[7] (who also became vice-chairwoman of the organization^[8]). However, Alfred Sherman told the Sunday Times that it was Maitland who 'solely' set up the group, with his help.^[9] The Viscount Trenchard, the former Minister for Defence Procurement, became its president.^{[10] [11]}

The group had its own magazine, Deter, and received a commendation from the U.S. president, Ronald Reagan.^[12] The group held its first public meeting on 1 May 1983 in Trafalgar Square, whereupon 150 members of the group met, sang "Land of Hope and Glory" and argued in favour of a nuclear deterrent as a precursor to multilateral nuclear disarmament. The group also delivered a petition signed by 13,000 people to respond to the proposals of the West for missile reductions.^[13] In 1986, it was expelled from a council that was organising events to mark the International Year of Peace that year.

Maitland later turned the group into a general anti-Labour political canvassing group, Women and Families for Canvassing.^[14]

Notes and References

1. Book: Eldridge . John . The Glasgow Media Group Reader, Vol. I: News Content, Language and Visuals . 1995 . Routledge . 978-1-136-16499-6 . 332 .
2. Book: Liddington . Jill . The Road to Greenham Common: Feminism and Anti-militarism in Britain Since 1820 . 1991 . Syracuse University Press . 978-0-8156-2539-1 . 254 .
3. Book: Kochan . Nick . Ann Widdecombe: Right from the Beginning . 2000 . Politico's . 93 . 9781902301556 .
4. Book: Hostettler . John . Dissenters, Radicals, Heretics and Blasphemers: The Flame of Revolt that Shines Through English History . 2012 . Waterside Press . 978-1-904380-82-5 . 242 .
5. News: Martin . Lorna . The battle of Greenham Common is over. But their spirit still burns . The Guardian . 19 August 2006.
6. Roth. Andrew. Ann (Noreen) WIDDECOMBE. Parliamentary Profile Services Ltd. 4. 7 September 2018. Andrew Roth.
7. News: Travis . Alan . Angela Rumbold . The Guardian . 4 September 1985 . 2.
8. News: Wavell . Stuart . Friday People: Angela's brick . The Guardian . 20 November 1987 . 32.
9. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A59807836/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=04a3a02a "First; Points."
10. Book: Barberis . Peter . McHugh . John . Tyldesley . Mike . Encyclopedia of British and Irish Political Organizations: Parties, Groups and Movements of the 20th Century . 1 January 2000 . A&C Black . 978-0-8264-5814-8 . 348 .
11. Book: Liddington . Jill . The Road to Greenham Common: Feminism and Anti-militarism in Britain Since 1820 . 1991 . Syracuse University Press . 978-0-8156-2539-1 . 254 .
12. PHS. "The Times Diary: Swiss Role". Times, 4 Jan. 1985, p. 10. The Times Digital Archive. Accessed 19 Oct. 2020.
13. https://link-gale-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/CS302222498/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=92489ed8 "Pavement and field: Women's bastions on the bomb."
14. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A116543810/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=a033c182 "Lady Olga steams in; Lady Olga Maitland."