Labour MP John McDonnell presented a Ten Minute Rule Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 October 2003 that will lead to the setting up of a Ministry for Peace, a Minister for Peace and a Commission for Peace. With cross-party support**, the Ministry for Peace (Interim Provisions) Bill builds upon the Government's own initiative - The Global Conflict Prevention Pool - to which the Government has dedicated £500 million. John McDonnell's Bill will have its second reading on Friday 21st November 2003.

The goal of the Ministry for Peace would be to co-ordinate conflict resolution and peace-building both domestically and internationally. It would provide Government with a broader array of options for handling conflict situations than are normally presented -an additional voice at the Cabinet Table - informed by a deep understanding of the root causes of conflict. The Minister would increase awareness of non-violent and non-military options and their applications. Internationally, war would be the last resort. This Bill starts a process of change - creating a body that is dedicated to research, to education and to engaging the participation of the public into taking responsibility for the effects of violence affecting local communities. It aims to inspire the world into believing that unprecedented results can be achieved by exploring different aspects of conflict resolution, however different or unfamiliar this approach may first appear to be.

Within the United Kingdom the Ministry for Peace would look at issues including domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, punishment and rehabilitation, racial and ethnic violence, and school bullying. The Ministry for Peace would also have public education and participation functions. It would commission the development of a peace education curriculum at all levels of education. Children would grow up with skills in non-violent communication and conflict resolution.

The Ministry for Peace would be founded on a solid base of research into approaches to peaceful co-existence and non-violent conflict resolution. This would include research into the impact of war on children, the environment and public health; the impact of the media regarding the prevention and resolution of conflict; the scarcity of natural resources as a source of conflict, effective community peace building activities and much more.

The Ministry for Peace would have the responsibility to consult, in regard to non-violent conflict resolution, in the event of an impending or occurring conflict and also in assisting with drafting peace treaties.

What happens next?

The Bill places a Duty on the Prime Minister to report to Parliament within 90 days with a Bill proposing legislation. This report is to be based on consultation with a wide range of bodies including statutory, non governmental and voluntary organisations, members of the public, political parties, religious groups and the media. The consultation would include a question asking organisations and individuals to give their view on which parts of the Bill should be the responsibility of the Ministry for Peace and which the responsibility of the Commission for Peace.

This initiative follows a motion passed without dissent on Saturday 11th October 2003 at the General Assembly of the European Women's Lobby calling on the EU Commission to create the post of Commissioner for Peace.

This initiative exhibits the special relationship between the UK and US in a positive way. Congressman and US presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich has already introduced a similar Bill in the House of Representatives in the US.

** Sponsors of the bill included:

• John McDonnell - Lab
• Elfyn Llwyd - Plaid Cymru
• Alex Salmond - SNP
• John Randall - Con
• Rudi Vis - Lab
• Alan Simpson - Lab
• Jeremy Corbyn - Lab