REBECCA Johnson, prominent global peace campaigner, was in Hereford on Tuesday last week to talk on 'peace-building through non-violent action and treaty-making' for the Millichap Peace Fund. Her visit came just days before the United Nations was due to vote on whether to start negotiations next year to prohibit nuclear weapons.

She said 'I'm delighted to be back in beautiful Hereford, and to discuss peace at such a crucial time in history. I've come straight here from the discussions at the UN in New York. Sadly the UK, and in particular this government, is out of step with the rest of the world on this, and is pressurising other countries to vote no, but I'm optimistic'.

As Green Party spokesperson on security, peace and defence, Dr Johnson met up with Herefordshire's Green Party chairs, Felicity Norman and Diana Toynbee. Their message to local people is 'peacebuilding and nuclear disarmament has always been central to the Green Party. We think globally and act locally, and invite people who believe we should invest in peace-building not weapon-building to join us'.

As for the UN vote, Dr Johnson's optimism was well founded, and since her visit she has sent Herefordshire this message: "These are such exciting times for nuclear disarmament campaigners. The UN General Assembly's First Committee has voted overwhelmingly to start negotiations in 2017 to prohibit all nuclear weapons".