Explore ‘Scotland’s Defence: Perspectives and Possibilities’, an exclusive UK Defence Journal series by Martin Docherty-Hughes, SNP Defence Spokesperson.
Our commitment to journalism brings you all options, crucial in understanding the defence landscape of an independent Scotland.
Docherty-Hughes, a respected voice from West Dunbartonshire with a deep-rooted family history in the forces and notable experience on the Defence Select Committee, lends his expertise and perspective to this critical discussion. The opening article, ‘Resilience and Security in an Independent Scotland’, delves into the possible shifts in Scotland’s defence strategy and broader security implications.
At the heart of the UK Defence Journal’s mission is our commitment to journalistic integrity. Our role is not to dictate opinions but to present information in a fair and balanced manner, allowing our readers to form their own informed views. This series exemplifies our dedication to offering diverse, unbiased perspectives in the realm of defence and security.
By initiating this series, the Journal aims to ignite discussions and deepen understanding among its readers, irrespective of their stance on Scottish independence. The importance of exploring varied viewpoints in shaping an informed public discourse cannot be overstated.
This initiative represents a significant contribution to the ongoing conversation about Scotland’s future in defence and security. We invite our readers to engage with these thought-provoking pieces, reflecting the Journal’s ethos of providing a platform for diverse and informed opinions.
Readers are invited to join us this Friday for the launch of ‘Scotland’s Defence: Perspectives and Possibilities’.
Yes, just what we need right now, to reignite an independence debate that fewer and fewer people in Scotland want right now.
SNP polling at 32% now which is about their historic level pre 2007.
The western alliance that has brought peace and prosperity to the world for two centuries is more fragile than ever and we are talking about breaking up its second most important member.
No thanks
the last thing we need, is a foreign aggressive anti British military power on our doorstep, for Christ’s sake , the people voted, so leave the dam thing to rest, we are one or we are not, united we stand, divided the EU gets ever more powerful doctorial and a bloody pain in the back side, if it is not broken , then leave it be,
the world has enough problems , peace brothers and sisters, winter is coming,
marry Xmas in advance…
by anti British military power, i mean the SNP not the Scottish people. just to let you know. peace my friends…
Like Scotland could afford any real meaningful defence. Scotland if it was outside the UK would be bankrupt within a year. Time for Westminster to make the military and rocket launch sites sovereign territory, along with appropriate entry and exit. That way if a fentanyl scotch fuelled exit ever did happen at least the security risk to Europe would not be increased.
It’s all academic anyway, the manic push for Scottish independence has run out of puff…
You can only scream ‘ Scotland the brave’ and other tag lines so many times before people start to wise up, pull back the curtains and see the mesmerising hypnosis of the SNP’s sun lit uplands is nothing more than a cheap magic trick and see it for what it is.
The SNP have made an utter mess of things, they wouldn’t know what fiscal responsibility is, if it bit them on the ass quite frankly and their years of being in charge have proven they are utterly inept.
The independence debate is winding back down again, going into it’s slumber stage, ready to reappear in another 20 years, when another generation of anti British pied pipers manage to stir up enough shit and trigger it all again…..
Good point. Some Scots seem to think they could have 10%+ of the kit currently operated by the UK Armed Forces given to them for free. Not going to happen. rUK would need all that kit.
Actually Scotland would get whatever is left over from settling the books on Scotland’s share of the National debt. Once that is settled they would be entitled to whatever they contributed in tax revenue to the defence budget. A very movable figure.
Negotiations have not taken place of course, but you are being optimistic. Kit procured for the defence of the UK, Europe and for wider Global Britain tasks is barely enough, and many would say it is well short. rUK needs all the military kit that the UK has procured.
Scotland would leave the UK with no doubt all fixed infrastructure (including bases and barracks) being retained by Scotland without any monetary arguments.
But mobile assets would be a different story, I am sure, especially defence kit.
Some kit the Scots might not want in a Scottish Army, such as heavy armour, but I cannot see the UK handing over kit that UK forces needs.
The classic British compromise may play out, ie that the UK Government enters into a security agreement with independent Scotland ie that HMG may undertake to protect Scottish airspace – and so Scotland would not press for x number of Typhoons to be released to a Scottish Air Force.
Its like the Parti Quebecois during the height of the Quebec referendum almost 30 years ago. The PQ said that they would have the entire 2nd Division of the Canadian Army as the new established army of a newly independent Quebec. They were hit with reality the more they went down that hole. The material of the 2nd Division would be transferred to Canada. The personnel too if they wished could move to Canada.
The PQ was faced with the dilemma to settle up their share of Canada’s national debt or bring it with them. A considerable sum of money at the time and still is. A question they dodged quite a bit on. Being the second largest province by population and GDP contribution make that still a problem to solve in any pre/post independence. Questions of NATO/NAFTA admission also abounded.
The SNP analog in Canada is the Bloc Quebecois party that has 35 seats in parliament. A swing voting party that only cares about Quebec.
Quebec now has competition in the federation as the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan are regularly challenging the federal government about natural resource management. These sovereigntist movements have wide support in those provinces.
Thanks Mickey. You know a lot about Canada – are you Canadian?
I spent a very happy 2 years (2004-6) in Ottawa on an exchange posting. Lived in Orleans and worked over the river in a DND office block near the Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec province.
I am Canadian. Also a dual national. I too am familiar with Ottawa. Great city!
Brave choice, George. Both you and Mr Docherty-Hughes.
Scotland won’t have any defence, they couldn’t afford it. Nor would they receive lucrative ship building contracts. Or have the economic boost in areas where sizeable uk military bases bring business and jobs to local economies.
None of this is mentioned by the snp though…
Please Give us a break. No need to drag this old one out of the cupboard. UKr couldn’t carry another dud on its doorstep without sovereign bases.
There’ll always be some people trying to keep the ‘dream’ alive but considering the SNP will be destroyed in the next election it’s not relevant to the real world. You might as well try to “ignite discussions” on whether the sky should be blue.
You only have to look across the sea to the island west of mainland Britain to see what happens when you don’t fund your military. No fast jets, no air defence and a navy without crews and ships limited to fishery interdiction.
Sadly this gets boring. It is not going to happen. Ever. Take the English taxpayer out of the loop and you have a failed country within less than a month. Looking at the SNP past and present is looking at a sad collection of pseudo Marxist clowns, and corrupt at that, can’t even balance the books now.