It was reportedly founded by Lady Olga Maitland, Ann Widdecombe,[5][6] Virginia Bottomley[5] 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.
[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.