Martin Schweiger is part of the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign. In this opinion column for the Stray Ferret, he writes about he thinks the base near Harrogate should be closed.

Most Tuesday evenings will find me standing by the main gates of RAF Menwith Hill. Concern has been expressed about the use of Menwith Hill since the 1950s, but why am I there? Being a Quaker has influenced me to give thought to the idea that there is that of God in everyone. The idea that we should deliberately harm anyone is wrong. Preparing for and making war is in direct conflict with my values.

When Dwight Eisenhower retired as President of the United States in 1961 he warned about the growing power and influence of what he called the military industrial complex. We are being fed an illusion that defence comes through military means, bigger and more powerful weapons with great destructive power. The profits of the arms manufacturers steadily rise. An evidence based alternative approach is developing our peace making skills and capacity. Diplomacy and bridge building between people is doable and sustainable with many examples around the world.

Conflict recognition and de-escalation are key skills. One of the important elements in peace building is the development of trust. Trust grows when we are open with each other. A culture of secrecy damages trust.

Menwith Hill is one of the world’s largest spy bases, drawing information from a constellation of orbiting satellites and a global network of cables. The manufacture and maintenance of the all the equipment being used is both expensive and profitable. Phone calls, emails and other digital communications are accessed and processed. In 2008 the American National Security Agency Director, Keith Alexander, visited Menwith Hill and instructed that all signals should be collected all the time. Keith Alexander said: “Sounds like a good summer homework project for Menwith.” 

Surveillance data is used for many purposes, not just for the military. Commercial, industrial, diplomatic and political information is gathered and used or misused. That raises questions about the data’s accuracy and interpretation. An even more important issue is who decides what is done with the data? The nameless person in charge at Menwith Hill is a civilian so the American government can disclaim the responsibility they would have if he was in a military uniform. We do know that information is passed on to the USA and that some of it is used to identify targets for attack. No independent assessment of evidence or trial, just an extrajudicial execution. The Bureau for Investigative Journalism has suggested that between 7 and 15% of the casualties in drone strikes are civilians, collateral damage from these so called “smart weapons”.

Can I just ignore what is being done from Yorkshire? It seems to me that I need to learn more about the consequences of an unaccountable military presence near me, I need to lobby those who should make decisions about the lack of accountability, and I need to live in a way that seeks to mitigate conflict of all sorts. Most religions have teachings about the importance of loving your neighbour and asking us to think who is my neighbour. I am reminded of the story of the Good Samaritan. I have been fortunate to have some long-term American friends and do not consider myself to be anti-American.

I think that American overseas bases such as Menwith Hill and the other 23 American military bases in the UK should be closed. It is possible that many people living in the Gulf States are developing similar feelings as they are being targeted by Iranian missiles and drones. An American organisation called World Beyond War has long called for the closure of all overseas military bases.

I can only invite you to join me at 6pm on Tuesday evenings at the Main Gates of Menwith Hill to support a peaceful presence protesting about the activities and lack of accountability of Menwith Hill.